ðɪ ˈɜːlɪɪst toːɹpˈiːdoʊ bˈoʊt dᵻstɹˈɔɪɚz wɜː smˈɔːl, tə mˈæksɪmˌaɪz mənˌuːvɚɹəbˈɪlᵻɾi, ænd pˈaʊɚd baɪ lˈɑːɹdʒ stˈiːm ˈɛndʒɪnz, tə mˈæksɪmˌaɪz spˈiːd tʊ ˌɪntɚsˈɛpt ˈɛnəmi toːɹpˈiːdoʊ bˈoʊts bᵻfˌoːɹ ðeɪ kʊd ɡɛt klˈoʊs tə ðə bˈæɾəlʃˌɪps.
The earliest torpedo boat destroyers were small, to maximize maneuverability, and powered by large steam engines, to maximize speed to intercept enemy torpedo boats before they could get close to the battleships.