Fisher could present battlecruisers to Lloyd George as instruments of economic warfare and global trade protection. The battle fleet gains control of the ocean, while fast capital cruisers exercise that control and keep commerce moving. A minister convinced by that argument would press for more ships. The possible program expands the Lion, Queen Mary, and Tiger groups, with two or even three of the later designs considered. Annual orders might settle at four or five battleships and a couple of battlecruisers, depending on German construction. Rising costs could also revive interest in 9.2-inch-gunned cruisers. These are alternative possibilities, and the largest battlecruiser orders would take resources from battleship construction.
Chapter · 43:31-46:42
Trade protection expands the battlecruiser program
Fisher's battlecruisers become attractive as instruments for exercising sea control and protecting global commerce, potentially increasing annual orders.