A fleet that cannot readily support its counterpart effectively becomes two operational navies, much like the geographical problem faced by Russia and the Soviet Union. The Great White Fleet's arrival on the west coast illustrates both the political impact of an inter-ocean transfer and the work required to deliver ships in good condition. Atlantic- and Pacific-optimised ship designs could emerge, with more regular transfers of officers and ratings needed to preserve institutional cohesion. The result would be a deeper division than merely assigning ships to two coasts.
Notable Point · 48:25-50:41
One US Navy functioning as two
Separate Atlantic and Pacific forces could develop different ship designs, institutional cultures, and personnel needs despite sharing a national navy.