Swift's speed, command space and the fast fleet

Swift's stated price exceeded £280,000, roughly twice the £140,000 quoted for a contemporary Tribal-class destroyer. Faster capital ships needed a screen that could move between positions, protect them and conduct reconnaissance. The initial demand for 36 knots on 900 tons expanded into a ship of about 1,850 tons and 34 knots. A leader also needed room for radios and command personnel to coordinate manoeuvres around the battlecruisers. Poor coordination risked sending destroyers across a battlecruiser's path, while rough weather could leave the screen unable to keep up. Speed, command capacity and the ability to remain with the fleet in a storm therefore belonged to the same operational requirement.