TASK OF NAVY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20039, 11 September 1939, Page 6

TASK OF NAVY

LIGHT CRAFT ACTIVE CONVOYS PENDING SERVICE OF RESERVISTS MEN OF .MERCHANT FLEET (Elec. Tel'. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Heed. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 10. Though the Admiralty has announced no definite results of the counter measures against the German U boats beyond possible success against one submarine mine-layer, hunting flotillas of British destroyers and light craft are still active.

During the first week of the war His Majesty’s ships of all types have been at sea all over the world in their task ol' maintaining the sea communications of the Empire. They have been particularly busy in waters round the British Isles and in the Atlantic. While Britain has incurred tiie loss of various merchant ships through submarine operations, many more enemy merchantmen have been captured or sunk or driven to take refuge in neutral harbours in many parts of the world.

The convoy system, which the Ad-i nliralty announced long before the war as one of our essential defence measures, will soon be in operation with the result that the U boat sinkings will tend Lo decrease. It must be realised, however, that the convoy system cannot be put into operation immediately on an outbreak of war.

With ships scattered all over the face of the globe, if takes some time for the system to become fully ell'eclive.

No Major Fights At Sea

During the first week of this war there have been no major naval operations to be recorded. On the other side of the picture, however, there has been the most intense activity on the part of the smaller craft, particularly destroyers, escort vessels and patrol craft. They, like the minesweepers, have had little rest.

Many of these smaller ships are manned by reservists, men drawn largely from the merchant navy and the fishing fleets. Like the men ol ilie Royal Navy itself, they arc giving magnificent and tireless service.

Thousands of other reservists, including many pensioners and veterans of ■the last war, are serving in the larger ships of the fleet. Most of these thought mat they had finished with the sea for ever and were engaged in many professions and callings ashore. They have come forward to serve again and their keenness and spirit of self-sacrifice has been truly wonderful.

Rut what particularly stands out is the gallantry of the officers and men of the merchant navy who, in unarmed ships, are carrying on their tasks of feeding and supplying this country in the face of the submarine peril. Their spirit has been no less magnificent than that of the British •Merchant seamen of the 1914-1918 years. To these line men, the people ol Britain and the Empire have good reason to be grateful. Their spirit is unquenchable.