The American force has numerous guns but lacks torpedoes, speed, and dependable long-range fire control. As Spanish cruisers and torpedo boats close, the battleships cannot disengage, so the American formation divides the threat and maneuvers away from individual torpedo runs. It then turns broadside, concentrates fire, and takes a chance to cross the enemy's T. The loss of slow battleships to Spanish cruisers supplies the campaign's in-game rationale for building a cruiser-heavy navy and pursuing battlecruisers.
Chapter · 41:01-59:18
Spanish cruisers expose a slow battleship fleet
A battle with Spanish cruisers and torpedo boats demonstrates why slow, lightly developed battleships struggle to control a fast threat.