------| | | To end | | | | | PLYMOUTH. | of | 42 | Nil. | Nil. | | | Aug. | | | | | |----------------------------------------------| | | To end | | | | | | of | 246 | Nil. | Nil. | | | Oct. | | | | | |----------------------------------------------| | | To end | | | | | | of | 414 | 1 | .23 | | | Nov. | | | | |-----------------------------------------------------------
------| | | To end | | | | | FALMOUTH. | of | 14 | Nil. | Nil. | | | Aug. | | | | | |----------------------------------------------| | | To end | | | | | | of | 146 | Nil. | Nil. | | | Oct. | | | | | |----------------------------------------------| | | To end | | | | | | of | 185 | Nil. | Nil. | | | Nov. | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------
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In the convoys starting from Queenstown 180 ships had been sent out up to the end of November without loss.
There were naturally loud complaints of these losses, but these were inevitable in the absence of escorting vessels, and no one realized the dangers run more than those responsible for finding protection; every available vessel was not only working at highest possible pressure, but, as has been mentioned, breakdowns from overwork amongst escorting craft were causing very considerable anxiety.
The following figures show the dangers which were run by unescorted vessels:
Losses
amongst British merchant
steamships in 1917 by
submarine
attack, under separate
escort, under
Period convoy or unescorted.
Ships under Ships Ships separate under unescorted. escort. convoy.
Quarter ending June 30 ... 17 26 158