Congress may convert four-stackers and order destroyers earlier

The United States owns many First World War four-stack destroyers but historically delays major replacement orders. Cruiser submarines able to reach American sea lanes and coasts give Congress a concrete peacetime threat to answer. Some Clemson-class hulls could be rebuilt as dedicated ASW escorts while new destroyer construction begins earlier. That program would place both converted ships and newer replacements in service before wartime emergency acts expanded the fleet.