Did age alone condemn the Orlando class?

Did the Orlandos' ageing hulls make them obsolete?

They faced rapid change in armament and armour. Age alone did not explain why some ships were discarded while others remained useful.

The class was built during rapid change in guns and armour, yet age did not by itself settle the issue. Other ships of similar vintage, including wooden-hulled vessels, continued to serve. The stated technical criteria were not applied consistently across the fleet. The question therefore becomes whether a particular hull could still perform a worthwhile secondary role after adaptation.