Before the advent of special types of frigate the destroyer was the versatile small ship for A/S protection of the fleet, naval gunfire support of the Army, offensive operations with gun and torpedo and limited minesweeping and mine-laying.
Phambi kokufika kwehlobo eluledwa lwezikhephe zemfazwe, isitshabalalisi sasisetyenizwa ngendlela ezininzi, sasikhusela iqela leenqanawe, isixhasi inqana-wenisokudubula umpu emkhosini, umsebenzi wekuhlasela ngemipu netorpedo neenqanawa eziqokelela iibombu ezifakwa emanzini, neenqanawe efaka iibhembhu emanzini.