Adolphus Andrews and the Eastern Sea Frontier

How did Admiral Adolphus Andrews perform as a wartime sea-frontier commander?

He handled the Eastern Sea Frontier as well as could be expected, but an early war entry left him short of the small ships needed for coastal defense.

The reply corrects the question's Western Sea Frontier reference to the Eastern Sea Frontier. Andrews completed a scouting-force tour in February 1941, reverted to rear admiral, and moved to the Third Naval District and New York Navy Yard before taking on the coastal command. The assessment emphasizes his shortage of suitable escorts and patrol craft. Long-lead major warships had received priority, while smaller vessels were ordered closer to the anticipated war date. British Hunt and Flower orders in 1939 are used to illustrate a schedule aimed at readiness for war in 1942. The comparable American expectation is placed around 1943-44, leaving the smaller-vessel program short of completion when war came in 1941. On that interpretation of procurement timing, Andrews did about as well as his resources allowed.