American destroyers bound for England were to escort British merchant shipping in 1917

In the British War Cabinet meeting of 2 May 1917 reported the First Sea Lord admiral Sir J.R. Jellicoe(1) that he had proposed that the second batch of six American destroyers would escort British merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore he was compiling a convoy of British merchant ship coming from Gibraltar in the near future.

 

Note

1. John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe (5 December Southampton, England 1859-Kensington London, England 20 November 1935), served in the Royal Navy between 1872-1919 ending his career in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between 30 November 1916 and 10 January 1918 and commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. Governor-General of New Zealand 27 September 1920-12 December 1924.