Tribals could work forward as part of the reconnaissance force. One use of their 4.7-inch guns was to start fires on an enemy capital ship. The fires helped other destroyers locate and aim at the target in darkness. In that role gunnery supported the torpedo attack as well as damaging the target directly.
Notable Point · 6:32-7:18
Fixing a target by fire for destroyer torpedoes
A forward destroyer could use its guns to make a larger target visible to the ships lining up a torpedo attack.