Why British destroyer orders differed from Clemson and Wickes

Britain's programme comprised 325 destroyers spread across several classes, compared here with the large American Clemson and Wickes orders. The proposed explanation for American expansion centres on an inadequate pre-war destroyer force and Congress's preference for conspicuous battleships. Naval officers had wanted destroyers and made arguments for them, but those requirements had not received sufficient funding. A similar criticism of German fleet balance concerns large torpedo boats and limited cruiser provision alongside the capital ships intended to challenge Britain. Previous investment in a balanced fleet helps explain why the navies entered the war with different construction needs.