Most naval experts have maintained that loss of the destroyers would not seriously diminish the sea power of the United States, since its main strength is in capital ships and cruisers and a large number of virtually new destroyers are available or being built.
On the other hand, some experts said the destroyers would give Britain essential naval reinforcements at a point where reinforcements are most needed, since British losses in destroyers have been greater than all other categories combined.
Moreover, destroyers are the most useful type of craft for British needs in keeping the Channel free of small German boats, for swift patrol of the long Scottish coast line and to convoy food stuffs and other essentials from Canada, Australia and other Empire sources of supply.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.