BRITISH SHIPPING RECORDS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 March 1918, Page 5

BRITISH SHIPPING RECORDS.

SAFETY OF CONVOYED SHIPS,

LONDON, March 20. The War Cabinet’s report of the proceedings in 1917 is contained in a Blue Book of over 200 pages. It shows that we lent over a million tons of shipping to France, and half a million to Italy. Referring to anti-submarine measures, it says there arc now 3400 minesweepers and auxiliary patrol craft. The convoy system has proved markedly effective. More than 90 per cent, of the Atlantic shipping is convoyed. Our losses in convoyed ships is only 0.58 per cent. The Admiralty believes that between 40 and 50 per cent, of the German submarines operating in home waters in the war period have been captured or destroyed. Our total net reduction of tonnage of ships over 1600 tons amounted to 2,750,000 tons during the war period to the year’s end, equalling 16 per cent.