Another convoy quiz question

Ping Panther · 12-02-08, 06:54 PM

Seth won the first convoy quiz question d'jour... so here is another:

"British Royal Navy introduces a newly created convoy system, whereby all merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean would travel in groups..."

The Royal Navy has claim of the historic implementation of convoyed ships as the new way to cross "the pond" in wartime.
Do you know what the official date was that this convoy tactic was initially deployed? And why? :hmm:

breadcatcher101 · 12-02-08, 11:03 PM

Well if I recall, the first time it was used was in WW1 about 1917 to reduce the losses by the German U boats. This was shortly before America entered the war. I can't remember the exact date. You mean WW2 anyway. Not too sure on that one.

Ping Panther · 12-03-08, 08:57 AM

Breadcatcher101, you are on your way to the correct historic date... and it was first announced in WW1. Convoy shipping was once again, adapted right away, and as best as they could, by the Royal Navy in WW2.

breadcatcher101 · 12-03-08, 11:08 AM

As to what I read (had to look it up) the first was on Sept. 7th, 1917. Used to protect trans-Atlantic shipping from the U boat threats.

Raptor1 · 12-03-08, 11:45 AM

IIRC, the Royal Navy adopted convoy tactics in late May 1917 after a few trial convoys were used successfully in the Atlantic

But convoys were used way before that, for instance all three Battles of Ushant (incl. the so-called Glorious First of June) were fought over cross-ocean convoys

EDIT: Or maybe it was just the 2nd and 3rd Battles of Ushant, can't remember...

Sailor Steve · 12-03-08, 03:24 PM

Well, you're trying to be slick by refering to WWI convoys, but the earliest British convoys were organized during the Anglo-Dutch wars during the 1600s. The warship-escorted merchant convoy was the staple of shipping all during the sailing-ship era.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convoy

Jimbuna · 12-05-08, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ping Panther

Seth won the first convoy quiz question d'jour... so here is another:

"British Royal Navy introduces a newly created convoy system, whereby all merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean would travel in groups..."

The Royal Navy has claim of the historic implementation of convoyed ships as the new way to cross "the pond" in wartime.
Do you know what the official date was that this convoy tactic was initially deployed? And why? :hmm:

HX 1, Sept 16th 39, as a result of the sinking of the Athenia

Ping Panther · 12-05-08, 10:44 AM

"On this day in 1917 (May 24, 1917), driven by the spectacular success of the German U-boat submarines and their attacks on Allied and neutral ships at sea, the British Royal Navy introduces a newly created convoy system, whereby all merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean would travel in groups under the protection of the British navy." ... History.com

Everyone gets the gold on this.

What a varied discussion of history we have started. I would agree that the History.com listing is just tagged to the modern Axis/Allied modern historic cause from the effects of merchant shippng losses. Once enough losses occured in any event at sea, I'm sure armed guards on board as well as escort ships were instictfully employed to get the goods transferred port-to-port. I just remember reading a while ago that there was an initial resistance to provide escorts for merchants during the early stages of WW2 by the Royal Navy, as well as the "Big One" before that.

Good hunting to all!

This is what makes the Subsim forums here the best anywhere. Just when you get a thought around a historic moment, tactical issue or simulated potential to bring up to discuss, we all get so much more. I wil need to look into the Battles of Ushant, etc. Either way the events occured, it makes it all even a further interesting thing to consider when we pop up our scopes on our next patrol.

12-02-08, 06:54 PM	#1
Ping Panther Lieutenant Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: the armpit of the Mid-Atlantic / Quadrant CA42 Posts: 262 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Another convoy quiz question Seth won the first convoy quiz question d'jour... so here is another: "British Royal Navy introduces a newly created convoy system, whereby all merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean would travel in groups..." The Royal Navy has claim of the historic implementation of convoyed ships as the new way to cross "the pond" in wartime. Do you know what the official date was that this convoy tactic was initially deployed? And why? :hmm:

12-03-08, 11:45 AM	#5
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	IIRC, the Royal Navy adopted convoy tactics in late May 1917 after a few trial convoys were used successfully in the Atlantic But convoys were used way before that, for instance all three Battles of Ushant (incl. the so-called Glorious First of June) were fought over cross-ocean convoys EDIT: Or maybe it was just the 2nd and 3rd Battles of Ushant, can't remember... __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory Last edited by Raptor1; 12-03-08 at 11:48 AM.

12-03-08, 03:24 PM	#6
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Well, you're trying to be slick by refering to WWI convoys, but the earliest British convoys were organized during the Anglo-Dutch wars during the 1600s. The warship-escorted merchant convoy was the staple of shipping all during the sailing-ship era. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convoy __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-02-08, 11:03 PM	#2
breadcatcher101 Captain Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 546 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Well if I recall, the first time it was used was in WW1 about 1917 to reduce the losses by the German U boats. This was shortly before America entered the war. I can't remember the exact date. You mean WW2 anyway. Not too sure on that one.

12-03-08, 08:57 AM	#3
Ping Panther Lieutenant Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: the armpit of the Mid-Atlantic / Quadrant CA42 Posts: 262 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Breadcatcher101, you are on your way to the correct historic date... and it was first announced in WW1. Convoy shipping was once again, adapted right away, and as best as they could, by the Royal Navy in WW2.

12-03-08, 11:08 AM	#4
breadcatcher101 Captain Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 546 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	As to what I read (had to look it up) the first was on Sept. 7th, 1917. Used to protect trans-Atlantic shipping from the U boat threats.

12-05-08, 10:44 AM	#8
Ping Panther Lieutenant Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: the armpit of the Mid-Atlantic / Quadrant CA42 Posts: 262 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	"On this day in 1917 (May 24, 1917), driven by the spectacular success of the German U-boat submarines and their attacks on Allied and neutral ships at sea, the British Royal Navy introduces a newly created convoy system, whereby all merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean would travel in groups under the protection of the British navy." ... History.com Everyone gets the gold on this. What a varied discussion of history we have started. I would agree that the History.com listing is just tagged to the modern Axis/Allied modern historic cause from the effects of merchant shippng losses. Once enough losses occured in any event at sea, I'm sure armed guards on board as well as escort ships were instictfully employed to get the goods transferred port-to-port. I just remember reading a while ago that there was an initial resistance to provide escorts for merchants during the early stages of WW2 by the Royal Navy, as well as the "Big One" before that. Good hunting to all! This is what makes the Subsim forums here the best anywhere. Just when you get a thought around a historic moment, tactical issue or simulated potential to bring up to discuss, we all get so much more. I wil need to look into the Battles of Ushant, etc. Either way the events occured, it makes it all even a further interesting thing to consider when we pop up our scopes on our next patrol.