The British actually sent 24 needed anti-sub trawlers to America to help us in 42 when the shore outside of Hatteras was becoming a shooting range whose only danger was the British sea portions of the trip. So yeah, the British at the start of WW2 did very well for itself and did much better...
Prince of Whales and Rodney were sunk because the carrier meant for them was keeping an eye on Tirpitz. Imagine two Bismarcks and the wasted ships watching them!