In the judgment of the writer, two conditions must be primarily considered in determining a class of battleship to which, for the sake of homogeneousness, most of the fleet should conform.
"Lessons of the war with Spain and other articles"
Alfred T. Mahan
The monitors promptly, though passively, proceeded to enforce another ancient maritime teaching,-the necessity for homogeneousness, especially of speed and manoeuvring qualities, in vessels intending to act together.
"Lessons of the war with Spain and other articles"
Alfred T. Mahan
Moreover, as such vessels generally act singly, it is of less importance that they vary much in type, and the need of subdivision carries with it that of numerous sizes; but battleships, including armored cruisers, are meant to work together, and insistence should be made upon homogeneousness, especially in manoeuvring qualities.
"Lessons of the war with Spain and other articles"
Alfred T. Mahan