Florida, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, and other older battleships formed the foundation of a force whose name implied speed and reconnaissance. The original concept anticipated battlecruisers, then carrier conversions, but treaty decisions and construction realities left the formation anchored on battleships. Destroyers could assist with reconnaissance and support, yet they could not make the slow capital-ship core into the fast scouting formation its label suggested. In this interpretation, it was a secondary battle force awaiting enough cruisers to assume the scouting role.
Chapter · 9:13-11:43
Why the scouting force began with slow battleships
The supposed scouting force rested on older, slow battleships after battlecruisers were cancelled and carrier conversions were delayed.