Ship's boats were essential mobility before helicopters

How important were ship's boats on dreadnought-era warships?

They carried people, supplies, captains, and admirals between ship and shore, serving as the main short-range mobility system before helicopters.

Ship's boats were not decorative equipment. They enabled communications, transfers, and the routine movement of people and stores without moving the whole warship. Before helicopters, they were the practical link between a ship and nearby vessels or the shore.