Cruiser capability versus cost

The criticism is aimed at ships whose loss of capability and survivability saves little or no money. HMS York and HMS Exeter, compared with the fuller County-class design, provide the later example: crews went to war in less capable ships without a worthwhile reduction in cost. Smaller types could still suit navies with different missions and budgets. For this period, the protected cruiser is presented as the sensible middle option, with torpedoes offering at least some chance against an armoured opponent. A rough later analogy maps protected cruisers to light cruisers, armoured cruisers to heavy cruisers, and unprotected cruisers to destroyer leaders.