J.W.S. Dorling-->Knox-6/23/41

 
                                             June 23, 1941
 
Sir,
 
     I am instructed by the Admiralty to put forward 
the following requests from the Prime Minister and the First 
Lord of the Admiralty for the provision of Convoy Escort 
Vessels, Minesweepers, Submarines and Tugs.
 
A. Convoy Escort Vessels.
 
     2.   The extension of the field of enemy submarine 
activity has increased our need for ships to protect our con-
voys.
     
     3.   The need can be met most economically by the Con-
voy Escort Vessel of about 1,500 tons.  It is estimated that 
two or three Convoy Escorts can be built in the place of one
Destroyer.  On the other hand our experience of vessels of less 
than 1,500 tons proves that they are not able to fulfil their 
function in the Atlantic and we deprecate the expenditure of 
building effort on smaller vessels for this purpose.
 
     4.   The capacity of U.K. and Canada is estimated to 
be eight Convoy Escorts per month.  This rate of increase does 
not meet our expanding requirements and we are seriously con-
cerned to provide against the possibility of damage to our pro-
ductive capacity by enemy action.
 
     5.   It is understood that U.S.A. have designed a Convoy 
Escort Vessel of about 1,5000 tons.  If production of such a ship 
is a reasonably early prospect, building and release of some of 
them would be a great contribution towards solving our convoy 
problems.  In the interim, transfer of the 7 Coastguard Cutters 
of the George W. Campbell type would be of utmost value.
 
     6.   As a longer term policy it is requested that con-
sideration may be given to the building of 100 Convoy Escort 
Vessels of about 1,500 tons for transfer to the British Navy 
at rate of about 10 per month.  The exact number and rate to 
be fixed so that Merchant Shipbuilding may not be interferred 
with.
 
 
B.   Minesweepers.
 
     7.   Anxiety is also felt about our present deficiency 
of large size Minesweepers and possible damage to our pro-
ductive capacity for this type.  We should be glad to know of 
the possibility of obtaining 20 vessels such as AM 57-81 of 
1,070 tons standard displacement.
 
     8.   These vessles if supplied could be regarded as 
taking the place of some of the Trawlers for which requisitions
Text Version
