| Written by a former merchant mariner, the dissertation aims to show that convoying was substantially effective in reducing merchant shipping losses in the Atlantic and contiguous sea areas during the 1917-18 convoy period. Among the conclusions reached is that convoying was a vitally significant factor in allowing the Allies to keep their sea lanes open and thereby prosecute their war effort to a successful conclusion by transporting foodstuffs, military supplies, and troops sufficient to that end. The study is divided into seven chapters. The first defines convoying and explains the various types of merchant tonnage reckoning. The second delves into the historical background of convoying and details how initial resistance of adopting it in 1917 was overcome. The third explores the planning and administrational aspects of convoying and then goes on to explain the positioning of both merchantmen and naval escorts as well as zigzag sailing for the purpose of diminishing the chances of successful U-boat torpedo attacks. Convoy routing and modifications to the system are also described. The chapter ends with statistical analyses of convoying results which show that convoying largely overcame the U-boat threat at sea. The fourth chapter deals with the American convoys to France within the greater framework of the overall British-run Atlantic convoy system. The fifth chapter examines convoy defensive-offensive weaponry and other anti-submarine measures such as dazzle camouflage paint schemes. The sixth chapter assesses the effects of the Anglo-American shipbuilding effort and acquisition of other existing foreign-owned tonnage, both of which eventually fed ships into the convoy system faster than the U-boats could sink them. Chapter seven presents overall conclusions. Throughout the dissertation British, American, German, and French primary source and published information obtained at archival repositories, libraries and museums on both sides of the Atlantic is examined in order to provide the broadest possible perspective on the subject of convoying during World War I. |
