The Royal Navy already understood convoys. Troop and wartime convoys demonstrated the method, including the escorted movement of Australian and New Zealand forces under ships such as HMAS Australia and HMS New Zealand. Escort vessels were also needed for the Grand Fleet, blockade duties, the Mediterranean, distant patrols, and protection against surface raiders. Committing cruisers and destroyers to trade convoys therefore meant accepting risk elsewhere until more ships became available. Fisher's earlier reductions worsened this shortage of adaptable hulls.
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The escort shortage behind early convoy reluctance
The Royal Navy understood convoy methods, but lacked enough cruisers and destroyers to protect trade while also sustaining the Grand Fleet and worldwide commitments.