Q-ships

Special Case 1: “The Royal Navy sinking All shipping destined for Germany is as bad as the Armenian Genocide” or “The use of Q-ships is morally equivalent to the Armenian Genocide”.

The Volokh Conspiracy » DoJ Attorneys in Dark About Surveillance Program: 2009

Both sides in the Great War used such disguised ships, though for different purposes: the Germans had their disguised raiders, and the British had Q-ships, vulnerable-looking merchants with hidden guns that were supposed to attract U-boats which, under Prize Rules, were supposed to challenge before attacking where there was no visible danger, not a restriction that was adhered to for long and then uncloak and sink them in a hail of shot.

The Last Raider, by Douglas Reeman. Book review Carla 2008

Eventually, Q-ships carried hidden depth charges that could be rolled off the stern, and some were even equipped with submerged torpedo tubes.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

And so the Q-ships improved their acting to convince their nervous prey that all was well, suspicions were groundless, and no peril lay in coming closer.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Jellicoe, normally laconic, went further: Campbell and his Q-ships, he said, had “a record of gallantry, endurance and discipline which has never been surpassed afloat or ashore.”

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Q-ships were crowded, since half the men on board had to depart as the panic party when the ship was attacked.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

But Campbell went to Q-ships, where his icy nerves and determination to sink submarines resulted, in the words of Rear Admiral William Sims, the senior American naval officer in Europe, in “some of the most admirable achievements in the whole history of naval warfare.”

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

In August 1917, six Q-ships were lost, and thereafter no German submarine was destroyed by a mystery ship.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Second, the Germans used "Q-ships" effectively during WWII, why cannot we disguise weapons in a container ship, draw them in and blast them?

Cafferty File 2009

It is time to bring back the Q-ships or Armed Merchantman as bait for pirates.

CTV News RSS Feed 2009