Cheap, available, and large enough were the decisive requirements; a top speed of roughly twelve knots, one engine, and one propeller did not prevent Europa from doing that job. Her purpose was to steam economically to a lagoon or bay, anchor, and provide a functioning air station almost immediately. Criticizing such a ship for slow aircraft recovery or limited catapult operations mistakes a mobile base for a conventional carrier. Attempts to make seaplane carriers operate continuously with a moving fleet exposed limitations that belonged to the wrong mission. Judged by the ability to deploy a complete support facility quickly, Europa's simplicity became an advantage rather than a defect.
Notable Point · 14:03-16:15
Why Europa did not need fleet-carrier performance
Europa's low speed and simple machinery were acceptable because her job was to establish a sheltered air base rather than conduct flight operations while steaming with the fleet.