S. Worthen | Weblog

Defining a destroyer (in WW2 terms)

Has turbine engines unlike corvette, frigate, sloop built in civilian yards, thus has better than 30 knot speed

Likely more oriented to anti-sub, anti-aircraft role than anti-ship thus guns 4-8 4.5 or 4.7 inch, more or less. The Tribals are almost light cruiserish in having 8 x 4.7 inch guns (which couldn't be elevated to engage aircraft). The later war fleet destroyers had 4 X 4.5 inch dual purpose guns and far more anti-sub gear.