What were warships doing besides gunnery practice if their gunnery was not very good?
Short answerThey also had to practise manoeuvring as a fleet, which required coordinated shiphandling and crews who knew exactly what to do.
NotesManoeuvring a battle fleet took substantial practice even when its gunnery still needed improvement. Destroyers had to maintain their screens and change position as the capital ships formed a battle line. Nearby dreadnoughts made errors in those movements dangerous. Coordinating these movements required skill and many people who knew exactly what to do.