Merchant Shipping Losses
The losses of merchant shipping by enemy action reported by the Admiralty during the last two months have been serious, and for the week ended October loth reached the high record of thirty-two British ships, of a total tonnage of 146,528, seven Allied ships, of 24,686 tons, and six neutrals, of 26,816 tons—in all a total of 198,03o tons. The figures vary very much from week to week, and the latest figure is much in excess of the average, but it would be foolish to deny that the rate of loss is disturbing, and calls for an intensification of the war upon U-boats and increased protection for our merchant ships. The explanation is simple enough ; it lies in the fact that the Germans have now the whole Atlantic sea- board from Norway to southern France from which to operate, by submarines, by mine, and by aeroplane action, and perhaps also that they have learnt some of our secrets from France. But the record of the war tends to show that, so far as U-boats are concerned, the enemy proceed by spurts. For a period they go all out with their utmost strength, inflict heavy losses and suffer heavy losses, after which they are compelled to slow down for a period till fresh vessels and trained navigators are ready. But it would be a grave mistake to rely on such automatic ups and downs. It is vital that constant air-attacks should be pressed home on the enemy shipyards and bases, that every vessel that can be used to hunt U-boats at sea should be brought into action, that the mercantile marine should be as well defended as possible with guns of their own, and conducted further in convoys so far as escorts can be made available. We have had invaluable assistance from the United States in the old destroyers which they sent to us. Possibly that country may see its way to release for our use other vessels capable of hunting submarines. Merchant-ships. moreover, can be built in American yards.
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