What does a destroyer do?

Answer 1

IT DESTROYS!!!!! * In the late 1800's they were called "torpedo boat destroyers." As years went by the name was shortened, just as "battle-ships of the line" became battleships, and "aircraft carriers" are coming to be known simply as carriers. * The idea was to protect the larger warships; battleships and cruisers, from enemy torpedo boats, and they did so by surrounding them; the destroyer screen. Later, torpedo boats became less of a threat, but aircraft and submarines arrived to replace them, and the destroyer was still needed to operate with cruisers, battleships, and carriers. * In the past, it was easy to distinguish cruiser from destroyer by their sizes, but today that difference is less apparent. The Spruance class destroyer and Ticonderoga class cruiser are actually built on the same hull. Cruisers are primarily command-and-control ships now, and destroyers still do what they do. They provide a ring of protection for the carriers and cruisers with which they operate, but they are also capable of operating alone.