American underwater protection is presented as broadly comparable to that of other navies. British practice looked more extensive because the losses of Aboukir, Cressy, and Hogue made submarine and torpedo threats hard to dismiss. Hydrophones and ASDIC on cruisers could provide warning and help a ship avoid attack, even when the cruiser was not meant to hunt submarines. American planners expected Pacific cruisers to operate in larger formations with destroyer screens, which supported a different balance of fittings. The comparison ties equipment choices to institutional memory and operating geography.
Notable Point · 21:02-27:40
Why British anti-torpedo fittings looked so extensive
British wartime losses made underwater warning and ASW equipment a stronger priority, while American Pacific formations relied more on destroyer screens.