Why Birmingham kept her torpedo tubes covered

The gun movements at Tsingtao were a dangerous form of signalling, and Birmingham matched Japanese turrets without displaying every weapon. The torpedo tubes remained behind their covers because swinging them out could appear more aggressive than answering guns with guns. The crews nevertheless kept the equipment ready so the mounts could train and launch if shooting began. Restraint therefore depended on posture rather than a lack of readiness: Birmingham showed resolve while avoiding the first unmistakable move toward an attack.