The 1908-1910 naval acts provided for successive batches of ten, five, and six torpedo-boat destroyers. The provisions called for the highest practical speed at a cost not exceeding $750,000 per ship. The discussion partly accepts the financial rationale for the ceiling while questioning whether the budget follows the fleet's requirements. Its criticism also asks whether the small batches supplied enough ships for the assigned missions.
Notable Point · 33:43-34:44
Naval acts demand speed inside a fixed destroyer cost cap
The 1908-1910 naval acts authorized small destroyer batches while demanding the highest practical speed for no more than $750,000 per ship.