British escort fittings show how seriously the Royal Navy treated the mine threat. Early Flower-class corvettes accommodated minesweeping gear, as did many destroyers. A mass minelaying-submarine campaign would still be dangerous, but the defender would begin with suitable hulls and institutional preparation. The anticipated threat had already shaped multi-role escort design before the campaign began.
Notable Point · 1:21:35-1:23:08
Minesweeping requirements shaped escort fittings
Flower-class corvettes and many destroyers accommodated minesweeping gear because Britain expected mines to be a major wartime threat.