BRITISH CONVOYS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 2 November 1939, Page 5

BRITISH CONVOYS

SUCCESS OF SYSTEM ONE LOSS IN OVER 300 SHIPS’ ZIG-ZAG COURSE ATTACKS MINIMISED (Eluc.. To). Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. Noon. RUGBY, Nov. 1. The extent to which the British convoy system has already been developed is shown by the fact that already nearly 2500 Allied merchant ships have voyaged under convoy. The efficiency of the system is proved by the reduction in merchant ship losses over those incurred in the first week of the war, before the convoy system was in operation, and the ract that up to date only eight ships in convoy have been lost. Three of these losses were inflicted in the same convoy. The loss of one ship in 300, although regrettable, cannot be regarded as serious. One satisfactory deduction which can be made from the efficient working of the convoy system is that there is no shortage of escorting craft find patrol vessels. No navy can keep up in peacetime a sufficient force of escort and patrol craft to enable all maritime trade to be made instantaneously 100 per cent secure in the event of war. The British Navy did, however, possess a large force of escort and patrol craft at the outbreak of war and this force already has been enormously increased. Only Efficacious Way The best and only completely efficacious method of defence for maritime trade is the destruction of the enemy forces operating against that trade. In this connection it is significant that the British anti-submarine forces which were the most efficient in the world before the war have already been trebled in strength. Their efficiency has been proved, not only by the heavy submarine losses incurred by Germany, but by the fact that the German submarines operating against maritime trade have been forced to cruise further and further away from the local areas of trade. This means that their opportunities for doing serious damage have been greatly reduced. Experience in the last war showed the convoy system to be a satisfactory defence against submarines, and the lesson then learned is being practised now.

In the main the organisation in the last war is being followed now, with additional anti-aircraft defence. In home waters no ships sail until a sufficient number to form a convoy have loaded cargo.

Then, as far as possible, ships of equal speeds form the same convoys. The speed of the convoy is that of the slowest ship. Where possible, fast ships are given a special escort. The ships sail in several columns abreast and each ship is as close behind the one in front as possible. Station Keeping "Station keeping" is routine navy work of which merchantmen hitherto nave had little experience, and the rapidity which the seamen and officers pick up the art speaks well for their seamanship. The convoy steers a zig-zag course, altering direction every few minutes at the orders of the convoy commodore, while the escort vessels proceed at high speeds ahead and either side, searching the largest possible area. If a ship is torpedoed, one escort vessel stands by while the remainder steam on with the convoy as fast as possible. Throughout the whole voyage, the convoy commodore and the escort ships are constantly in touch with the Admiralty, receiving early warning of submarine or other hostile craft. Although it is not impossible, it is difficult for hostile craft to damage greatly a suitably escorted convoy.