Captain Langley's criticism holds that carriers and surface gun platforms have incompatible requirements. He attributes the hybrid to acceptance of aircraft combined with a lingering desire to preserve the 1914 battle fleet. In his view, the design exposes an unresolved choice about which role should determine the ship's form. His proposed remedy is to reconsider what a balanced fleet would need in 1945, 1950 and 1955.
Notable Point · 29:24-29:55
Battle-carriers as an unresolved fleet compromise
A contemporary gunnery officer's criticism treats hybrid battle-carriers as incompatible requirements joined by institutional reluctance to abandon the old battle fleet.