A statement signed by Rodney's captain describes how he intended to respond to a German invasion. Drach has not established whether the signatory was Dalrymple-Hamilton, because the document falls close to the change of command. The plan was to sail down England's east coast at night or in fog and get so close to the invasion fleet that ramming might announce the battleship's arrival. Every available gun would then open fire. If damage threatened to sink Rodney, the captain intended to beach her on the invasion coast and keep firing as a fixed gun position. The captain's proposal subordinated the ship's survival to attacking the landing force.
Notable Point · 54:10-55:30
Rodney's captain planned to fight through to the beaches
The sentient-warship discussion quotes an archival invasion plan in which HMS Rodney would close at night, fight at point-blank range, and beach herself if necessary.