The Royal Navy designed the Tribal class to break through enemy destroyer screens with gunfire while retaining torpedoes and destroyer handling qualities. Their cruiser-like layout and appearance also let them cover some of the middle-tier presence work for which Britain lacked enough cruisers. HMS Ashanti's 1939 durbar with the Ashanti people in West Africa provides the diplomatic example. The visit took place amid a delicate rapprochement after the return of a previously exiled leader and aimed to strengthen relationships before the coming war. The class shows how warfighting and peace-maintaining functions can reinforce one another in a flexible ship bought in sufficient numbers.
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Tribal destroyers served as back-pocket cruisers
The Tribal class combined destroyer combat roles with cruiser-like appearance and diplomatic work, including HMS Ashanti's 1939 visit to West Africa.