Mercantile Movements Division (Royal Navy) facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1917-1920 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Superseding agency |
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| Jurisdiction |  United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Admiralty, London |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Admiralty Naval Staff |
The Mercantile Movements Division was a special group within the British Admiralty. It was first called the Convoy Section. Its main job was to plan, organize, and track all the merchant ships that traveled in groups called convoys. This division was active from 1917 until 1920.
Contents
History of Convoys
The Admiralty started managing the convoy system as early as 1914. A specific Convoy Section was created on June 25, 1917. It was part of the Anti-Submarine Division. This section worked with the Ministry of Shipping and the Naval Intelligence Division. Together, they organized all convoy routes and schedules. The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff usually oversaw the planning of these routes.
In September 1917, the Admiralty became responsible for controlling both the ships of the British Merchant Navy and the movements of the British Fleet. To manage this, they set up the Mercantile Movements Division. This new division was led by a Director of Mercantile Movements.
It was important for the Admiralty to control convoys once they were at sea. This helped solve problems with sharing information. Once this was agreed, the Mercantile Movements Division directed most of the convoys' journeys. They would track the convoys day by day.
To avoid problems, especially at night when ships traveled without lights, special steps were taken. For example, wireless radio was used to send messages about course changes to convoys. This was very important if convoys got too close to each other. Ships were also told to avoid areas where German U-boats were known to be operating. Sometimes, the agreed destination of ships was changed as they got closer to home.
As convoys approached the U.K. home waters, like the Celtic, Irish, North Sea, and English Channel, local naval commanders took charge. These included the Commanders-in-Chief of the Coast of Ireland, Devonport, Portsmouth, and the Commander of the Dover Patrol. Staff at the ports kept records of all ship movements. This helped the local commanders manage operations as needed.
After World War I, in the years between the wars, the Mercantile Movements Division was closed down. Its duties were taken over by the Tactical Division. When World War II began in 1939, the Trade Division became responsible for planning, controlling, and protecting all British merchant shipping until 1945.
Director's Main Jobs
The Director of Mercantile Movements had several important responsibilities:
- Control where all convoys and ships gathered.
- Make sure that loading and unloading goods worked well with convoy plans.
- Talk with the Director of Anti-Submarine Division.
- Work closely with the Ministry of Shipping.
- Communicate with the Director of Naval Intelligence Division.
- Match shipping needs with convoy needs.
Leaders of the Division
Here are some of the people who led this division:
Organising Manager of Convoys
- Mr. H. W. Eldon Manisty, from June 25, 1917, to September 10, 1917.
Directors of Mercantile Movements
- Captain Frederic A. Whitehead, from September 10, 1917, to January 19, 1919.
- Captain Bertram H. Smith, from January 19, 1919, to September 30, 1919.
How the Division Was Set Up
As of 1917, the Mercantile Movements Division had different sections to manage its work:
- The Director's Office, which included a secretary and staff.
- Sections for handling ship accidents (Casualty Section), tracking ships (Chart Room), and general staff duties.
- Sections for planning routes (Routeing Section), managing tugboats (Tug Section), and handling home waters (Home Section).
- The Office of the Deputy Director of Mercantile Movements.
- This office included the Convoy Section, which managed convoys to different regions like Japan and the USA.
- The Office of the Fleet Pay Master and Organising Manager of Convoy.
- This office managed the ports where ships gathered before joining a convoy.
Ships would meet at specific ports before traveling in convoys to the United Kingdom or France. These ports were chosen based on the trade area they served.
Inbound Ports (Coming to the UK)
- Gibraltar
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Dakar, Senegal
- Hampton Roads (U.S.A.)
- New York, (U.S.A.)
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
- Yokohama, Japan
Outbound Ports (Leaving the UK)
- Lamlash, Scotland
- Milford Haven, England
- Queenstown, Ireland
- Falmouth, England
- Plymouth, England
Timeline of Responsibilities
- Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Naval Staff, Anti-Submarine Division (1914-1917): This division first set up the convoy section.
- Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Naval Staff, Mercantile Movements Division (1917-1920): This division was responsible for convoy movements.
- Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Naval Staff, Tactical Division (1921-1939): This division took over responsibility for convoy movements after the Mercantile Movements Division closed.
- Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Naval Staff, Trade Division (1939-1945): This division was responsible for convoys during World War II.
