A Hunt-class destroyer transported into 1914 could be diverted into fleet or destroyer-leader duties because its fighting power would be unusually attractive. Bay-class frigates offer an escort design that merchant yards could build alongside naval yards. Their four-cylinder triple-expansion machinery would use more widely available production capacity than turbines. A speed of roughly 19.5 knots would be sufficient for merchant convoys while discouraging employment with the battle fleet. Building these escorts in many yards could reduce the pressure to take existing fleet destroyers away from their intended work.
Notable Point · 57:53-1:00:23
Why Bay-class frigates could scale World War I convoy defence
Merchant-yard construction and triple-expansion machinery make Bay-class frigates an attractive way to expand World War I convoy protection without competing for scarce turbine-warship capacity.