Treaty rules did not impose a cumulative tonnage ceiling on sloops under 2,000 tons and designed for no more than 20 knots. A hypothetical programme of sixteen a year could have accumulated a large reserve of useful hulls. The ships could perform anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, minesweeping, minelaying, patrol, and humanitarian relief. Some could remain in reserve instead of all requiring continuous active service.
Notable Point · 3:22:49-3:26:23
Treaty-exempt sloops could have expanded escort capacity
An uncapped programme of small sloops could have built a reserve for escort, minesweeping, patrol, and relief duties.