Captain Vian was aboard Cossack during the Altmark operation because his usual flotilla leader, Afridi, needed repair. That circumstance qualifies the Tribals' reputation for turbine trouble. Early in the war, these large destroyers were repeatedly driven at maximum power in heavy seas so they could escort fast capital ships such as Hood. The maintenance burden reflected the operational cost of high-tempo employment as well as the machinery's limits.
Notable Point · 20:17-21:15
Why heavy operational use wore out Tribal turbines
The Tribals' turbine troubles are connected to sustained high-power escort work in heavy seas rather than treated as an isolated design label.