CONVOY SYSTEM

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1939, Page 8

CONVOY SYSTEM

PROCEDURE EXPLAINED

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, October 31

The experience of the last war showed the convoy system to be a satisfactory anti-submarine defence, and the lesson then learned is being practised now. In the main in the last war organisation is followed, but now with additional anti-aircraft defence in home waters, no ship sails until a sufficient number to form a convoy have loaded their cargo. Then, as far as possible, ships of equal speeds form the same convoys. The speed of the convoy is that of the lowest ship. Where possible, fast ships are given a special escort. The ships sail several columns abreast, and each ship keeps as close behind the one in front as possible. This “station keeping” is routine Navy work, of which merchantmen hitherto have had little experience, and the rapidity with which the seamen and officers pick up the art speaks well for their seamanship. The convoj’ steers a zig-zag course, altering its direction every few minutes at the orders of the convoy commodore, while the escort vessels proceed at high speeds ahead and on 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 voyage the convoy commodore and the escort ships are constantly in touch with the Admiralty, receiving early warning of submarines or other hostile craft. Although it is not impossible, it is difficult for hostile craft to damage greatly a suitably-escorted convoy. EVIDENCE OF EFFICIENCY. The extent to which the 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 system was in operation, and the fact that up to date only eight ships in convoy have been lost. Three of these losses were inflicted on 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 and patrol vessels. No Navy can keep up in peace-time 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 had already been enormously increased. The best and only completely efficacious method of defence for maritime trade is the destruction of 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 German submarines operating against maritime trade have been forced to cruise further and further away from the focal areas of trade. This means that their opportunities for doing serious damage have been greatly reduced. •

SEAPLANE DRIVEN OFF.

ATTEMPTED ATTACK FAILS

RUGBY, October 31.

The Admiralty and the Ah- Ministry announced: “An enemy seaplane was seen by Royal Air Force aircraft off the Norfolk coast this morning. After a short engagement at close range, the enemy aircraft broke off the combat and flew away in an easterly direction.

“Shortly after, a German seaplane of the same type attempted to attack a British convoy some miles to the north. It was driven off by aircraft and fire from the naval escort.

“Before flying away to the east the raider appear to drop two bombs, but no damage was done.”