Turning the Caribbean into a minefield

The commissioned light cruisers put the earlier design work into operation. Their mission is to lay mines across the Caribbean until American control is backed by a broad obstacle to opposing movement. Because the cruisers can spread mines across wide waters, they support regional sea denial instead of defending a single port. The plan makes entry costly and uncertain without requiring a decisive fleet engagement. A specialist design is being used for the operational purpose that justified its compromises.