What does the conversion of older warships into survey vessels say about the Royal Navy's need for survey work?
Short answer
Surveying was important, and sloops were often designed from the outset with the flexibility to take on that role later.
Notes
Many Royal Navy survey conversions involved sloops, including examples into the 1920s and 1930s. Survey work was already part of the range of duties contemplated for those ships. Their designs allowed for conversion from the outset. The conversions show that the survey role mattered, while also reflecting the intended flexibility of the sloop.