File No. 841.85/15
[Enclosure—Extracts]
Photographic copies of confidential Admiralty
instructions to British merchant vessels
Instructions for Owners and Masters of
British Merchant Ships Issued with Reference to the
Operations of German Submarines against British
Shipping
Section 2.—Prooecdure if an enemy submarine is sighted
A. No British merchant vessel should ever tamely surrender to a
submarine, but should do her utmost to escape. A vessel which
surrenders is certain to be sunk, and the crew cast adrift in
their boats. A vessel which makes a determined attempt to escape
has an excellent chance of doing so. Even should she fail, and
be unlucky enough to be struck by one of the enemy’s torpedoes,
the crew will, in most cases, have ample time to man their
boats.
B. If a submarine is seen at a distance and on the surface, or if
a periscope is sighted, alter course to bring the boat astern
and proceed at full speed. If the boat follows you on the
surface, make for the nearest land or shallow water, always
keeping your stern towards her. If the boat opens fire with a
gun continue on your course at all costs—if you stop you will
certainly be torpedoed. Gunfire from most submarines is not
dangerous. When under fire the crew should go below, and be
ready to plug any shot holes near the water line. If the
submarine does not fire you may assume she has no gun, and in
this case she cannot injure you if you keep your stern towards
her and keep a sharp lookout for any torpedo. With the submarine
in this position a touch of the helm will enable you to avoid
the torpedo, the trail of which can be seen by a line of bubbles
on the water.
C. If a submarine comes up suddenly close ahead of you with
obvious hostile intention, steer straight for her at your utmost
speed, altering course as necessary to keep her ahead. She will
probably then dive, in which case you will have ensured your
safety, as she will be compelled to come up astern of
you....
Section 4.—Lighting,
colours, etc.
A. At night it is important that British ships should as closely
resemble neutrals as possible. Navigation lights should not
exceed the brilliancy prescribed by statute. No bright lights
should show about the ship, but in most cases it will not be
advisable to darken ships completely. Should neutral ships adopt
any particular system of lighting this should be copied by
British vessels.
B. The use of false colours and disguises by merchant vessels
attempting to escape capture is a well-established custom in the
history of naval war. It is not in any way dishonourable. Owners
and masters will therefore be within their rights if they use
every device to mislead the enemy and induce him to confuse
British vessels with neutrals. Exceptional methods of painting
and conspicuous funnel marks, not resembling those of neutrals,
should be avoided....
Addendum No. 1 to Instructions Respecting
Hostile Submarines (to be Attached to Instructions Dated
February 10, 1915)
5. Liners and other fast ships can considerably reduce the chance
of a successful torpedo attack by zigzagging, that is to say,
altering course at short and irregular intervals. This procedure
is most disconcerting to a submerged submarine, and prevents her
getting into position to deliver a surprise attack....
[Page 654]
7. The guns fitted in the latest submarines, though short, are of
comparatively large bore, and fire a shell which, at short
range, is effective against merchant ships. The practice of the
submarines when they are able to over-take a ship appears to be
to close right up under her quarter and fire at a range at which
it is impossible to miss.
These tactics necessitate a change in the advice hitherto given.
It is considered that every ship on sighting a submarine should
first endeavour to escape. The submarine may be a slow one, or
the state of the sea may make it difficult for her to steam
fast. Should it become apparent to the master of the ship
pursued that the submarine is rapidly gaining on him, then,
unless help is at hand, it will generally be best to turn bow to
the enemy before he gets too close, and make straight at him.
This will compel him to risk being rammed or dive. If he dives
he at once loses speed and drops astern so that the manoeuvre
can be repeated. If he does not dive then there is a fair chance
of ramming him, and in any case he is in the worst possible
position to use gun or torpedo....
