World War I navies activated old ships because construction could not supply every hull their global commitments required. Revenge was unsuitable for fighting a modern Nassau-class battleship but highly effective at coastal bombardment, freeing newer ships for the Grand Fleet. Convoy escort, local defense, training, and support were essential missions even when they lacked the prestige of fleet action. Scrapping the older ships would not have funded enough replacements and would instead have forced expensive first-rate units into necessary fourth- or fifth-rate jobs.
Notable Point · 1:51:02-1:53:48
Old ships fill essential roles that new construction cannot cover
A ship need not defeat a modern opponent to be valuable when bombardment, convoy escort, or support work would otherwise consume a first-line unit.