The Type 1934's nominal speed was 36 knots, with a reported light-load maximum of 38.7 knots. Its 70,000 shaft horsepower design figure was also the maximum achieved output. Matching those figures left too little reserve above the power intended for normal high-speed operation. Maintaining steam pressure and engine output at their limit could not be treated as a routine operating condition. The additional trial speed therefore did not settle the question of how long the ships could sustain a useful high speed.
Notable Point · 15:23-18:17
Why Type 1934 trial speed concealed a machinery problem
A light-load result of 38.7 knots did not remove the concern that the machinery lacked reserve for sustained high-speed operation.