VALUE OF CONVOY SYSTEM.

Taihape Daily Times, 4 June 1918, Page 3

VALUE OF CONVOY SYSTEM.

Undoubtedly, the chief factor in.defeating the piracy campaign has been the convoy system, which has greatly increased the difficulties of the U-boat commanders, who agree that life in t* submarine has become particularly terrible. Their version is that Britain's defensive measures consist in the main of an extension of the convoy system, liberal employment of aircraft and destroyers, a combination craft and destroyers, a combination of mines near the surface and nets low in the water, and the arming of merchantmen and patrolling of sea routes with trawlers and motor craft. "It must be amitdted," writes one old salt (Captain Brueninghaus) "that the convoy boats at first caused our submarines difficulties. These difficulties have been passed and hardly a day passes on which wo uo not deprive an escort of one or more ships in the areas in which the submarine war is carried." It is true that many escorts have been deprived of a ship or two. But it is equally true that XTboats dread destroyers and light patrol'craft. They hide from them, seeking "•"' thV ocean bottom, or run from them; risking mines and rocks rather than" sb much as show a periscope.

: The convoy system has been proved to be more effective than single arming'6f ships. And, in any case, there is to-day no alternative, for though Britain "is still arming merchantmen, the guns and mountings earmarked for anti-submarine work have had in hundreds to be deflected to anti-air. craft work, being exactly similar in design to the familiar "Archies." The •worst feature of the convoy system is its waste of tonnage. Ships have to •be'held back for their escorts. They have to lie about in the comparative•ly^safe 1 parts chosen as "terminals." 'or 1 stav in port until' enough "shins are ready'to form a convoy. i**- *' I reduction in speed to that ofH'hV slowest ship, and special diffK Iculties of navigation is in large units: Germans claim also that convoys hinder the use of anti-submarine guns, 'and present enormous targets': -They say that experienced submarine' corA^ manders have disposed of' three and ■JflO'is fie *"•. i ■'; ■■ ■■■•' '.-'■ •■•'-'■ '; ! even four ships in the one convoy. I However] the Admiralty ''plug's' along; rajEmg out the U-boats like vermin. They seek to have some patrol 'fairly near whenever a submarine emerges, to, drop a depth charge or fire a gun. If the .Navy cannot sink them, it must keep them under wafer. ,'s.i'.?: '■?"■ '■ ■ ■ t *i" ( ,_ J.£ is admitted now that. depth charges..sink few of the enemy, and are Jimited in effect to compelling him to.submerge. Nets and mines remain ,'most effective, destroyers,. But W-hen. the. final story, of the submarine war, 45,/written the features that will s,tand out most firmly will be not the resoujqefulness, or ingenuity in : . invention of weapons> but the dash and valour of British seamen, and the.comparative; > poverty" of" the German subBritish submarines, with a^similar .mission, would have rid the sea;j; pfc,. .everything except hospital Ships,-:,; • :"---.