The proposal gives the Royal Navy an opportunity to test small-tube boilers in ships that are valuable but less costly than battleships. Jellicoe's interest in the machinery makes a cruiser trial historically grounded rather than an arbitrary technical flourish. Their peacetime station role makes an imperfect speed result more tolerable, because the ships remain useful even if they fall short of 28 knots. Successful trials could then inform later capital-ship design while the class restores several overseas roles once performed by armoured cruisers.
Notable Point · 15:30-18:29
Small-tube boilers as a practical trial
A cheaper cruiser class could trial small-tube boilers without risking a capital ship, while still filling useful operational roles.