Canopus's four 12-inch guns could have deterred von Spee from attacking, although a serviceable ship would still limit the British force to about 18 knots. The German squadron could use its speed to avoid that stronger formation. Defence faced a different problem: repeated diversions sent her toward a separate force intended to stop von Spee if he passed Cradock. Arriving there alone would expose a valuable cruiser to an enemy squadron she could not defeat by herself.
Notable Point · 2:26:48-2:28:40
Canopus's deterrent value came at a cost in speed
Canopus offered 12-inch-gun deterrence but also a speed and engineering problem that shaped every practical choice available to Cradock.