Britain's problem was numerical as much as tactical: a global maritime power needed cruisers on many distant stations. Treaty cruisers were expensive before negotiated tonnage limits were even counted. Building the desired number would consume both money and scarce cruiser allowance. Third Sea Lord Reginald Henderson therefore had to find another way to sustain the fleet.
Chapter · 3:40-4:26
The cruiser shortage Henderson had to solve
Britain needed more cruisers than it could buy or fit within treaty tonnage, leaving Admiral Reginald Henderson to find another way to sustain a global fleet.