Royal Navy carriers depended on destroyer screens that could absorb attacks and remain in action. Tribal-class ships repeatedly appear in the wartime record near carriers, while Battle-class destroyers became preferred escorts after the war. The Daring class was also shaped around carrier protection and could act as senior close escort when scarce cruisers were better used on distant pickets or presence duties. The carrier was the centre of a defensive formation rather than an isolated capital ship.
Notable Point · 5:45-8:25
Destroyers as the carrier's protective screen
A brief design-history detour explains why Tribal, Battle, and Daring-class destroyers repeatedly appear beside British carriers.