Part of the problem is the crew efficiency
I never got as far as the US in looking at stock ratings
I have removed 99% of the stock scripted patrols around the UK and US
Stock SCR below - the ships become " alive " when you reach within 50 km of them
GWX 1.04 below
Patrols are random now and contain a realistic crew rating
A quick look at stock SCR tells me the ships off the NY coast in 41\early 42 have a rating of veteran