Rodney's commanders, machinery, and availability

Rodney's interwar service exposed propulsion trouble during an attempted submarine rescue, after which a refit addressed the machinery and future First Sea Lord Andrew Cunningham took command. John Tovey also commanded her, while Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton later became known for pressing the engineering plant for every available knot. His technical interest extended to turbine-blade disputes and meetings of the Institute of Naval Architects even though he was not an engineering officer. During the Second World War Rodney repeatedly replaced an unavailable Nelson as Home Fleet flagship, demonstrating the narrow margin provided by a two-ship class. Her near encounter with Gneisenau also shows why a few additional knots could determine whether nine 16-inch guns ever reached effective range.