CONVOY METHODS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 285, 2 November 1939, Page 9

CONVOY METHODS.

DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 31. Experience- in the last war showed that the convoy system can he a satisfactory anti-submarine defence and the lesson then learnt is being practised now. In the main the organisation in the last war is followed now, with additional anti-aircraft defence in home waters. No ship sails till 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 a convoy is that of the slowest ship. Where possible fast ships are given a special escort. The ships sail several columns abreast with each ship as. close behind the one in front as possible. “Station keeping” is routine Navy work, of which merchantmen hitherto have had little experience, and the rapidity with which seamen and officers pick up the art speaks well for their seamanship. The convoy steers a zigzag course, altering 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 tlie 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 submarines ,or other hostile craft. Though not impossible, it is difficult for hostile craft to damage greatly a suitably-escorted convoy. The British Navy, the statement continues, did, however, possess a large force of escort and patrol craft at the outbreak of the war and this force has already been enormously increased. 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 hv the heavy submarine losses incurred by Germany but by the fact that German submarines operating against maritime trade have boon 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.