Convoy rescue ships:

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Convoy rescue ships:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

During the Second World War designated convoy rescue ships accompanied some Atlantic convoys to rescue survivors from ships which had been attacked. Rescue ships were typically small freighters with passenger accommodations converted to rescue service. This involved enlarging galley and food storage areas and providing berthing and sanitary facilities for approximately 150 men. Scrambling nets were rigged along the sides, and boats suitable for open sea work were substituted for normal lifeboats. Rescue ships normally included a small operating room for an embarked naval doctor and sick bay staff.

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Many people are familiar with the important role the shipping convoys played during the Second World War and the dangers they faced to keep Britain supplied. Shipping provided all the oil, half of all the food, and most raw materials required by Britain. By 1939 this was 55 million tons of food and raw materials per year. The convoys were famously escorted by the Royal Navy, who worked hard to offer protection to the vital shipping, but there was another group supporting them whose role is less well known.

From 1940 onwards convoys were accompanied by ‘Rescue Ships’. These were usually small coastal vessels travelling with convoys to fulfil one very important role, if a ship were to be torpedoed it was their job to stay behind and help any survivors while the rest of the convoy scattered.

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