Through the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s, sloops and minesweepers often met closely related needs. A small warship had to perform several duties instead of remaining tied to one task. Wartime construction could receive money quickly, whereas peacetime programmes needed a strong political justification. Minesweeping supplied a clear requirement, and a multi-purpose hull gave the navy broader value from the same procurement.
Notable Point · 2:26-3:03
Why peacetime small ships needed several roles
The overlap between sloops and minesweepers reflects operational utility and the political case needed to secure funding for small warships in peacetime.