Surcouf was a Submarine Cruiser built by the French during the years of 1927 to 1934. Surcouf was built with protecting French colony interests in conjunction with Naval Squadrons and interception and pursuit of enemy convoys in time of war. Though there were several Submarine Cruisers intended to join the French fleet, the Washington Naval Treaty put an end to that and Surcouf was the only ship of her class.

Surcouf served between the years of 1934 to 1942

Preceded by: None

Succeeded by: None

Surcouf, a 'underwater heavy cruiser', was being refitted in Brest when Germany invaded France. Even though she was unable to dive, and was operating on one engine with a jammed rudder, she escaped to Plymouth, United Kingdom. August 1940, the British completed Surcouf's refit and turned her over to the Free French Navy for convoy patrol.

After the outbreak of war with Japan, Surcouf was ordered to Sydney, Australia, via Tahiti. She departed Halifax on 2 February for Bermuda, which she left on 12 February, bound for the Panama Canal.

Surcouf vanished on the night of 18/19 February 1942, about 80 mi (70 nmi; 130 km) north of, while en route for Tahiti, via the Panama Canal. An American report concluded the disappearance was due to an accidental collision with the American freighter Thompson Lykes, steaming alone from Guantanamo Bay, on what was a very dark night; the freighter reported hitting and running down a partially submerged object which scraped along her side and keel. Her lookouts heard people in the water but the freighter did not stop, thinking she had hit a U-boat, though cries for help were heard in English. A signal was sent to Panama describing the incident.