When Philip Vian took his Tribal-class destroyers away to hunt Bismarck, a C-class cruiser remained with the convoy off Africa. The older cruiser could therefore release modern destroyers for an urgent fleet operation. Its anti-submarine options were limited: 4-inch fire against a surfaced submarine and, in the response recalled here, ramming against a submerged one. At about 4,200 tons these were cruisers by First World War standards, but their hulls remained sound enough to continue useful escort work.
Notable Point · 1:29:47-1:30:47
A C-class cruiser covered Vian's convoy during the Bismarck hunt
Leaving a converted C-class cruiser with the convoy allowed Vian's Tribal-class destroyers to join the Bismarck hunt while preserving an escort.