The ships had cruised extensively, but that did not necessarily place them at the end of their useful lives. A First World War station commander could still value a ship with a ten-inch belt and twelve-inch armoured conning tower. A faster enemy cruiser might exist, yet a surface raider would have to weigh the cost of attacking merchants protected by such a ship. In this assessment, that deterrent effect was a practical contribution to convoy security.
Notable Point · 26:20-27:24
Armour that could deter a surface raider
See why the Orlandos' armour could have made them valuable convoy escorts even against faster enemy cruisers.