Destroyers and torpedo boats gave the battle fleet claws

Small Hayabusa-class torpedo boats and the much larger Murakumo-class destroyers had complementary roles. Experience in the First Sino-Japanese War showed how fast torpedo craft could exploit slow ships with inaccurate artillery. Japan also needed destroyers capable of stopping an opponent from using that method against its own battle line. Torpedo boats supplied offensive reach while destroyers protected the formation and helped it manoeuvre safely. Together they gave the capital-ship core its claws instead of leaving it exposed to a swarm of smaller attackers.