Why mistaking a Tribal for a cruiser is understandable

Is misidentifying destroyers or frigates as cruisers an epic naval blunder?

No; at range, a Tribal-class destroyer's behavior and outline can make the error understandable.

A distant observer may see a Tribal-class destroyer behaving like a larger combatant and mistake its silhouette for a cruiser. The class's proportions and visible rows of openings can reinforce that impression under poor viewing conditions. Because the error is plausible and limited rather than grandly stupid or careless, it does not qualify as an epic blunder. Hindsight should not turn every recognition failure into command incompetence.