The so-called German "catchers" Iltis (length 214 feet 1 inch overall, 209 feet 10 inches at the water line, beam 26 feet 3 inches; draught 12 feet 6 inches) and three others in the process of construction were scaled down versions of the light cruiser Gazelle (length 344 feet 9 inches overall, 342 feet 9 inches at the water line, beam 40 feet 1 inch; draught 18 feet 2 inches), armed with four 87-millimetre guns. Though often spoken of in England as "catchers" they were really only station gunboats for police duties.