The York class exposes savings that look persuasive only on a design sheet. Removing a turret promised a cheaper cruiser, yet the resulting ships cost almost as much and needed almost as many crew as a County-class cruiser. They were also slower and less capable. Reducing visible combat capability does not guarantee a matching reduction in the hull, machinery, personnel, and support costs of a warship programme.
Notable Point · 36:56-37:15
The York class as a warning about false economy
Deleting a turret did not make the York-class cruisers proportionately cheaper or less manpower-intensive, while it reduced capability and speed.