Consequently there was much straggling, and the losses were proportionately heavier than in most of the Atlantic convoys.

The comparatively heavy losses in the Gibraltar convoys were probably due to these convoys traversing two dangerous submarine zones.

The extraordinary immunity of the French coal trade convoy from serious losses is remarkable and is probably due to the short passage which enabled most of the distance to be traversed at night and to the ships being of light draught.
The table on the following page would not be complete were no reference made to the heavy losses which were experienced during the year amongst ships which were _unescorted_ through the danger zones, owing to the fact that no escorting vessels were available for the work.
LOSSES IN HOMEWARD BOUND CONVOYS, 1917.
PORTS OF DEPARTURE OF CONVOYS.
|------------------------------------------------------------------ | | No.

of | No.

lost | Percentage | | Particulars | Ships | in | of | | of Convoys.