A battleship's quoted speed does not fully describe what a captain might demand from its machinery. Nelson and Rodney illustrate the claim that some captains exceeded what were probably peacetime speed guidelines. A forthcoming major refit could make that decision more attractive if the engines were already expected to be replaced. The extra speed therefore came at the cost of machinery life, rather than representing a free improvement in performance.
Notable Point · 34:20-34:56
How machinery wear could change a battleship's usable speed
Nelson and Rodney illustrate why a captain willing to shorten machinery life could exceed what appeared to be the normal speed limit.