Richardson argued that the US battle line had standardized too early on 21 knots and should aim nearer 24. The lower standard had defensible roots in the endurance required for Pacific operations and in Congress's tendency to conceive the fleet in defensive terms. A three-knot advantage could help control battle range, but the larger strategic gain came from efficient cruising speed. Moving from 21 to 24 knots at the top end is an increase of roughly 14 percent, while raising cruising speed from 10 to 14 knots is a 40 percent gain. That faster cruising speed could cut a transcontinental fleet movement from roughly three weeks to two, giving a modest design change a much larger effect on reinforcement time.
Notable Point · 14:05-20:16
Why a faster battle fleet moves strategy faster
Richardson's demand for more than 21 knots becomes a lesson in how cruising speed compresses reinforcement time across oceans.