With World War I then in its second year and tensions between the U.S. and Germany increasing, the U.S. needed to expand its navy. The Naval Appropriation Act of 1916 called for a navy "second to none," capable of protecting both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Act authorized 10 battleships, 6 s, 10 scout cruisers, and 50 "Wickes"-class destroyers. A subsequent General Board recommendation for further destroyers to combat the submarine threat resulted in a total of 267 "Wickes"- and "Clemson"-class destroyers completed. However, the design of the ships remained optimized for operation with the battleship fleet.