William May's task groups need speed, firepower, and radio

Sir William May had served on the expedition to rescue Commander Markham after his attempt to reach the North Pole through Smith Sound. He later commanded the Atlantic Fleet and served as both Third and Second Sea Lord. As Second Sea Lord, he threatened to resign publicly if the Liberal government cut naval estimates further, and he could work across naval factions. May also advocated smaller groups of ships conducting simultaneous operations and expected command to be pushed down to junior officers. Such forces needed enough speed to concentrate, enough firepower to survive until support arrived, and radio to coordinate their movements. Government money could scale up small-tube boilers that had been tested in torpedo craft for decades, while May could fund Marconi's work on crystal detectors and valve reception. His operational ideas give specific research priorities to propulsion, communications, and firepower.