First convoy at sea ART00190 © Australian War Memorial CC BY-NC
The British and German navies battled for control of the oceans, as those who controlled the shipping lanes could break the chain of essential supplies of food, equipment and re-inforcements to the enemy and win the war as a result.
Merchant shipping was protected by escorts of Royal Navy ships, Able Seaman William Marshall Neiass DSM of Teignmouth served upon the light crusier HMS Cumberland as she performed convoy escort duties and patrols for German raiders.
Peter's ship the SS Westmoor
Ship's Carpenter Peter Albert Johnson was the husband of Emily, née Manley of 29 Second Avenue, Teignmouth.
Peter was serving with the Mercantile Marine on board SS "Westmore" on July 1st, 1918.
"On July 1st, 1918, Westmoor, on a voyage from Gibraltar to Buenos Aires in ballast, was sunk by the German submarine U-91 (Alfred von Glasenapp), 210 miles NWxW3/4W of Casablanca. 2 persons were lost."
www.wrecksite.eu
Britain heavily depended on these civilian cargo ships and the title 'Merchant Navy' was granted by King George V after the First World War to recognise the contribution made by merchant sailors.
Germany operated a policy of 'unrestricted submarine warfare', or sinking merchant vessels on sight. By the end of the First World War, more than 3,000 British flagged merchant and fishing vessels had been sunk and nearly 15,000 merchant seamen had died.
Local men in the Merchant Navy
