Sloops were small enough for many yards, so even modest orders could maintain a geographically broad production base. One-shaft escorts could keep turbine orders flowing, and design refinement at that scale could transfer knowledge to larger naval machinery. The orders need not be large at any single yard because continuity, rather than peak output, preserves its workforce and supplier network. The exemption also reflected First World War experience with Flower-class sloops and American concern that treaty rules should not restrict Coast Guard maritime-security vessels.
Notable Point · 20:44-23:17
Peacetime orders sustain yards and turbine skills
A steady stream of small escort orders could preserve shipyards, turbine production, and scalable engineering knowledge during the interwar years.