CONVOY ORDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1918, Page 4

CONVOY ORDERS.

The convoy system is now an integral part of our naval -policy, but it Is only after much effort and considerable experience that it has been possible to bring it to its present efficient state. Credit is due not only to the Navy, which escorts our shipping, but also to the masters of the merchant ships which form the convoys, as without implicit obedience on their part and a thorough understanding of what is expected of them, the value of the escort’s protection would be much reduced. An important part of a convoy's organisation is the conference, which lias been found invaluable and always necessary in the case of large ocean-going convoys. This conference is really a lecture which the master of each ship about to sail in the convoy has to attend in order to receive his instructions for outwitting “Fritz” duringthe iorth--oming voyage. Picture to yourself a smallish room with dirty whitewashed walls and a long deal table running down the centre. At one end is a raised platform facing a large blackboard covered with little discs; at the other is a small table littered with multifarious documents, guarded by a Naval Reserve officer. Grouped round the table, some sitting, others standing, are about 40 masters' of all ages; jovial-look-ing, fair-haired Swedes are mingled with tall and serious-looking Norwegians and Danes, while the re mainder are obviously British. Some are attired in well-cut blue suits and “ bowler ” hats, others are content with a suit ol “ reach-me-downs and a muffler, but the stamp of the sea is clearly marked 011 each face. A corner of the room contains the commanding officers of the escort vessels, and iii front of the platform stand the port convoy officer and the senior officer of the convoy itself.

The port convoy officer, who is a captain R.N., mounts the platform and gives his audience the general instructions for the voyage. Each ship is assigned her place in the convoy, which is shown in miniature on the blackboard. Emergency signals are explained and the importance of darkening lights at night and keeping a good look-out by day are particularly emphasised. Most of the masters are “ old hands” used to convoys and the orders are not new to them, but nevertheless not a word or a shuffle interrupts the lecturer. All the neutral masters speak and understand English perfectly and have unbounded confidence in the Navy, which enables them to follow their livelihood with a daily increasing degree of safety. For four vears now these men have sailed in submarine and mine-infested waters with but little personal gain, knowing that their lives are in the balance on each voyage ; but they never shrink from their work and carry on for the good of their own country and ours. Notes are taken as the lecture proceeds, and fin all}' the masters are asked if everything is quite clear and whether they have any questions to ask. One master is not quite certain of lus procedure in the event of sighting a torpedo heading for his ship; this is at once explained to him. Another apologises for dropping astern during a previous voyage, explains how he was let down by interior coal and hopes he will be able to maintain the convoy speed in future.

The naval officers remain behind to discuss the final plans lor the protection of the convoy at sea and the masters troop down to the dockhead wondering perhaps what the approaching voyage has in store for them —a speedy reunion with their family or a sudden explosion and oblivion. . . .