Speed at sea was purchased with sharply higher fuel consumption. Bacon's argument was that a well-supplied fleet could keep an opponent moving quickly, reduce its remaining range, and constrain where it could go without necessarily overtaking it. That gave blockade a logistical dimension and made worldwide base access an offensive advantage. In the context of the 1900-1901 oil debate, Bacon's account of the mature coal network also reads as an implicit specification for the infrastructure oil would have to reproduce. Fuel state could narrow tactical choices because ships near the end of their endurance could no longer maneuver at full performance.
Notable Point · 17:57-23:54
Fuel endurance could force an enemy fleet's destination
A fleet with abundant coaling bases could force an opponent to burn fuel at high speed until only battle or a limited destination remained possible.