A British program combines the G3s with County-class cruisers built in useful numbers and given better armour. Their 8-inch guns would remain desirable while older armoured cruisers still operated. The comparison with rapid-firing 6-inch batteries produces disagreement over how much gun range mattered before improved fire control arrived. At long range, observing the fall of shot could reduce the importance of a higher firing rate. Small successors to Hermes would carry scouts, extend trade protection, and join the fleet screen. Larger carriers could follow when their role justified them. Existing destroyers would remain useful for the immediate period, allowing a later successor to make a larger increase in size.
Notable Point · 2:07:23-2:10:47
Better-protected Counties and small carriers for global scouting
A trade-protection fleet pairs better-armoured County-class cruisers with small scouting carriers while weighing gun range against fire-control limits.