In transit, destroyers screened the sides and front of the battle fleet against submarines and sudden surface attacks. During a gun engagement, they moved to the disengaged side so their smoke would not obscure the capital ships' fire. An enemy torpedo attack could require the screen to move between the battle line and the attackers. Destroyers could overtake to reach that position or use a drop-back manoeuvre, cutting speed for a tight turn before accelerating again. With steam turbines, the boilers had to remain at pressure while steam to the turbines was reduced or vented, losing water from the system. Making these movements among roughly 30 manoeuvring dreadnoughts required extensive practice.
Notable Point · 17:00-19:07
Fleet screening and the drop-back manoeuvre
Destroyer screens had to protect a moving battle fleet, keep smoke clear of its guns, and turn rapidly into the path of enemy torpedo attacks.