Shadow Battleship - Once per game, at the Beginning of the Suface Attack phase, choose an enemy Battleship at range 3 or greater. That Battleship can't antack this unit during this phase
I've used it a lot in a Kent swarm smoke anti DD build, and it keeps them alive a lot longer. I agree its a but tricky to use, but a good SA nonetheless...
It won't work with Hit & Run... as you have to be within R3 to use hit and run and Shadow Battleship has to be outside of R3 at the BEGINNING of the Surface Attack Phase.
Since it's float planes found the RN fleet and started the battle, why not give it the 'Scout Cruiser' SA?
SCOUT CRUISER: At the beginning of your Air Attack step, you may choose an enemy ship. Your units roll one extra attack die when making Bomb or Gunnery attacks against that ship this turn
AVOID ENGAGEMENT: At the end of the Sea Movement phase, if there are enemy Ships within range 3 of this unit, you may move this unit one sector away from the nearest enemy Ship.
HARASSING FIRE 4: While undamaged, this unit can make range-4 Main Gunnery attacks using its range-3 attack value. It only scores hits on a 6 when using this ability.
Staying true to the specific battles, Gorizia's scoutplane promted the italian ommander to disengage, although this came too late and the cruisers were already tangling. Suits her career long term, she always seems to be on the perhipery of fights