Cradock hoped to receive Stoddart's squadron, including Carnarvon and the Town-class cruisers Falmouth, Bristol, and Liverpool. Carnarvon would add armoured-cruiser firepower, while the extra light cruisers would give him more options for arranging his force. With those reinforcements, he could leave slower ships behind and operate at roughly 23 knots. That modest speed advantage over the German squadron would help him choose the range or keep his distance.
Notable Point · 2:11:18-2:23:11
Stoddart's cruisers could have restored Cradock's freedom of movement
Carnarvon and additional Town-class cruisers offered enough strength to leave slower ships behind and control the engagement range.