Torpedo gunboats entered waters occupied by hostile torpedo boats and used guns to destroy them. Their own torpedoes gave them a weapon against larger ships covering those boats. Heavy friendly ships could in turn protect the gunboats against stronger opposition. In this arrangement, the gunboats formed a skirmish line with the fleet, countering the assumption that torpedo boats could attack an unprotected battle force.
Notable Point · 22:02-23:02
Torpedo gunboats countered coastal torpedo-boat attacks
An armed skirmish line could clear torpedo boats while retaining torpedoes against their heavier support.