Publisher's Synopsis
The United States destroyer force underwent significant design improvement during the Interwar Period. The roles and missions of the destroyers evolved from WW I to the end of WW II, based on design and tactics improvements, as well as the overall expansion of the number of destroyers and the improved capabilities of destroyers. This was especially true of the Fletcher class, introduced during the end of the interwar period. The Fletcher class became the largest single type and class of warship ever developed, with 175 being built. The Navy's General Board, similar to a general staff, influenced all facets of the Navy from 1900 to 1950, when the General Board was disestablished and most of these duties assumed by the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. This thesis examines the General Board of the Navy's influence on destroyer design in the Interwar Period, specifically, improvements on destroyer speed, radius of action, armor and armament, habitability, and an array of mission capabilities.
