The smaller cruisers present a different case from the Town-class calculation. The first modified Arethusa-class ships could become exceptionally fast Mediterranean units once their compact hulls received the more efficient plant. The Abdiel-class minelayers, whose missions were already organized around speed, would gain an even sharper operational advantage. Propulsion improvements matter especially to ships whose missions depend on reaching, striking, or leaving an area before interception.
Notable Point · 56:37-57:09
Arethusa and Abdiel become Mediterranean speed tools
The smaller Arethusa-class cruisers and speed-centered Abdiel minelayers could exploit the new plant especially well in Mediterranean scouting, raiding, and minelaying missions.