Four large torpedo boats leave the battle line top-heavy

Farragut, Stringham, Goldsborough, and Bailey made up the Navy's large torpedo-boat group in this comparison. Their size and capability did not change their defensive mission, and four hulls were too few to substitute for a destroyer screen. The three Truxtuns added little more because they were improved Bainbridges in a class of only three. A strong battle line would therefore sail as a top-heavy force rather than an integrated one. Rival navies had less reason to fear American battleships if they could approach them with balanced forces.