Auxiliary Patrol
Encyclopedia
The Auxiliary Patrol was an antisubmarine initiative by the British to help combat German submarine
operations in the early stages of World War I
. It was the pioneer of anti-submarine warfare
.
The majority of British
trawlers
were commandeered by the Admiralty
, and those left were obliged to fish in groups of 20 with additional protection.
The Auxiliary Patrol was crewed by fishermen and led mainly by Merchant Navy men commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve
. They operated as trawlers do, in all weathers. Their trawlers were retrofit
ted with armaments, typically 3,6 or 12-pounder guns as well as 7.5" Bomb Throwers
(Anti Submarine howitzers). Specialist crew such as signaller
s and gunners were also put on board.
Later in the war the Admiralty built 3 classes of larger trawlers as well as developing a new special class of Minesweeper
.
By the Second World War, the Royal Navy had formed a specialist minesweeping capability, and the Royal Naval Patrol Service
was formed, known to many as "Harry Tate
's Navy".
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
operations in the early stages of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was the pioneer of anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
.
The majority of British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
trawlers
Naval trawler
A naval trawler is a vessel built along the lines of a fishing trawler but fitted out for naval purposes. Naval trawlers were widely used during the First and Second world wars. Fishing trawlers were particularly suited for many naval requirements because they were robust boats designed to work...
were commandeered by the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
, and those left were obliged to fish in groups of 20 with additional protection.
The Auxiliary Patrol was crewed by fishermen and led mainly by Merchant Navy men commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
. They operated as trawlers do, in all weathers. Their trawlers were retrofit
Retrofit
Retrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems.* power plant retrofit, improving power plant efficiency / increasing output / reducing emissions...
ted with armaments, typically 3,6 or 12-pounder guns as well as 7.5" Bomb Throwers
BL 7.5 inch Naval Howitzer
The BL 7.5 inch howitzer was a British anti-submarine mortar developed during World War I.-History:The weapon was developed together with other similar devices early in 1917 and went into service in June 1917 in response to German unrestricted submarine warfare. It was mounted on merchant...
(Anti Submarine howitzers). Specialist crew such as signaller
Signaller
In the armed forces, a signaller or signaleer is a specialist soldier or seaman or airman responsible for military communications. Signallers, aka Combat Signallers or signalmen or women, are commonly employed as radio or telephone operators, relaying messages for field commanders at the front line...
s and gunners were also put on board.
Later in the war the Admiralty built 3 classes of larger trawlers as well as developing a new special class of Minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
.
By the Second World War, the Royal Navy had formed a specialist minesweeping capability, and the Royal Naval Patrol Service
Royal Naval Patrol Service
The Royal Naval Patrol Service was a branch of the Royal Navy active during the Second World War. The RNPS operated many small auxiliary vessels such as naval trawlers for anti-submarine and minesweeping operations to protect coastal Britain and convoys during WWII.-History:The Royal Naval Patrol...
was formed, known to many as "Harry Tate
Harry Tate
Harry Tate was an English comedian who performed both in the music halls and in films. Born in 1872 as Ronald Macdonald Hutchinson, he worked for Henry Tate & Sons, Sugar Refiners before going on the stage, and took his stage name from them.-Career:Tate made his debut at the Oxford Music Hall in...
's Navy".