The discussion connects hardware to its consumable supply: keeping minelayers matters little without mines ready for use. Thousands of Mark 6 mines had been procured during the First World War, including unused stocks and material recovered from the North Sea Barrage. Distributing those mines near the coast-guard vessels intended to lay them would create usable local capabilities rather than inert warehouse inventories. Positioned around imperial bases, the reserves could obstruct an opponent's movement and give retained small ships a concrete wartime role.
Notable Point · 11:54-12:39
Mine reserves make minelayers useful
Retaining mine stocks alongside minelayers would turn stored hulls into a practical means of disrupting an enemy's movement.