Shimakaze embodies the attempt to offset a smaller fleet with a more powerful destroyer. Ambitious plans resulted in only one completed ship. The criticism accepts the design's fighting qualities while asking what contribution a single hull could make to the fleet's total workload. Pursuing still greater quality can leave missions uncovered before the enemy's capabilities even enter the calculation. A destroyer programme therefore has to be judged against the number of places and tasks requiring ships.
Notable Point · 3:07-4:41
One Shimakaze could not cover a fleet's missions
Shimakaze introduces the gap between an excellent individual design and enough hulls to perform simultaneous missions.