Francesco Mimbelli and her sister continued to receive diplomatic assignments even when newer Italian warships were available. Symmetrical lines, room for visitors to stand and observe, and spaces for entertaining are suggested as contributors to their presence. A recognizable warship appearance can also help a visiting ship convey its military purpose. These features do not fully explain the effect, however: another design can have the same ingredients and still lack the same presence. Their appeal is an assessment of the ships as a whole, with an acknowledged element that the discussion cannot explain.
Notable Point · 33:25-34:47
Why a warship's diplomatic presence is hard to reduce to a formula
Visitor spaces and a recognizable warship appearance help explain diplomatic presence, though similar features do not produce the same effect in every design.