[don1reed]

...you might say they were multifunctional cables...

--they aided in avoiding entanglements, ala net-cutter.
--they were a part of the antenna system, notice the large strain-relief insulators (egg shaped) near the turm and bow. The transmission line comes out of the turm via a feed-thru insulator on the forward side of the turm.
--they were strong enough to support the weight of transferring torpedoes around.
--laundry line.
--safety cable for the deck crew to go forward or aft during a blow, etc.
--I've seen pictures of them using it as support for a canvass awning during the heat of the summer in port.

The funkmaat would no doubt inform the crew what the transmission schedule was. No one likes to get RF burns, especially from the the 200 watt transmitter aboard. Like in todays world, all the RF radiators get turned off whenever men go aloft for repair work. It was no different then.
The list could go on, it's up to your imagination...