it was proposed that the "erie"s could be used in a number of roles, including: screening the fleet against enemy destroyers and submarines, high-speed mine laying, tactical control of fleet submarines, antiaircraft duty for slower carriers, support of destroyer attacks, anti-submarine warfare during convoy duty, and support of amphibious landing operations. they could also relieve destroyers that were in short demand at the time, the 6-inch guns could be useful against merchant raiders, and with its shallow draft and heavy firepower they could be used to "show the flag" in central and south american and far east ports during peacetime.