Interwar destroyer development began with the fleet inventories left after World War I. Britain and the United States had large numbers of V and W, Clemson, and Wickes-class destroyers available for trials, reserves, and everyday tasks. Their numbers reduced the consequences of losing or wearing out a ship during exercises. The reserve pool gave both navies room to test ideas and learn from mistakes without asking for a replacement construction program each time.
Chapter · 21:42-22:57
Interwar destroyer mass lets navies experiment
The 1920s section shows how wartime destroyer programs left Britain and the United States with enough hulls to test ideas and absorb losses.