British industry could readily push dreadnoughts beyond 21 knots, but a faster class risked breaking the tactical unity of the line. Pakenham's experience of Tsushima reinforced the lesson that Japanese cohesion had defeated a disjointed Russian force. Bellerophon therefore appears as a better Dreadnought shaped to operate with her rather than leave her behind. The fluctuating official speeds of Dreadnought, Bellerophon, St Vincent, and Neptune reveal a deliberate doctrinal compromise rather than a simple ceiling on British engineering.
Notable Point · 25:59-27:27
Tsushima encouraged a uniform 21-knot battle line
The Royal Navy limited otherwise attainable speed because Tsushima seemed to validate cohesion and concentrated artillery over individually faster battleships.