Chatfield questions whether Henderson's larger destroyers would impose an unaffordable personnel burden. Henderson's answer is that extra hull volume can make machinery easier to reach and maintain. Engineers no longer have to crawl into cramped spaces or spend as long completing the same work, so fewer people can preserve the required standard. The exchange turns maintainability into a force-structure argument: displacement can save scarce trained manpower rather than merely consume it.
Notable Point · 6:17-7:38
Why a larger destroyer could need fewer engineers
Henderson answers a crewing objection by showing that a roomier machinery layout can reduce maintenance effort and engineering manpower.