Why destroyer captains had to be told no

How often were destroyer captains told they could not attempt an ambitious tow or capture?

More often than navies admit; British and American destroyer crews often treated World War II as a collection opportunity, with prize money adding to the appeal.

The panel says such refusals were more common than either the Royal Navy or US Navy might like to admit. Destroyer captains sometimes treated wartime encounters as opportunities to capture, tow, or otherwise collect useful vessels and material. Prize-money incentives helped make those schemes attractive even when the command situation argued against them. The exchange is a compact reminder that initiative at sea still operated within operational orders and senior approval.