Beyond guns and fittings, could major hull sections such as bows be stored as reserves?
Short answerYes; a spare bow or stern could be valuable for rapid repair, especially where battle damage removes a large but replaceable section of a destroyer.
NotesHMS Nubian's severe stern damage illustrates what a destroyer can survive. The ship retained propulsion and could steer by varying her shafts after losing normal steering, making recovery and repair possible. A pre-built bow or stern section could shorten the next stage by replacing a large specialised structure without waiting to fabricate it from scratch. Stored anchors and chains could support repairs or new construction, while reusable internal fittings such as galley and water-system equipment would save further fabrication. Large hull sections consume storage space, but selected components may be worthwhile where battle damage is predictable and repair capacity is scarce.