But the work of the Salvage Section changed completely with the coming of the unrestricted campaign of the German submarines. No longer was it purely naval in character. Thenceforward it became general, and the officers and men of the section had to stand ready to save merchant vessels as well as warships. So grave a menace was the enemy submarine campaign that foreign shipowners refused to take the risks of sending ships to Great Britain, for no underwriter with any sense could be expected to insure ships when the Germans were torpedoing merchantmen at sight. Similarly no shipowner with any sense would send a ship here that was uninsured, for if his ship were torpedoed the whole loss would fall on him. For this reason alone there was a likelihood of diminishing supplies of food and munitions coming to our ports. The British Government rose to the situation by becoming the biggest underwriting concern in the world and insuring every ship entering and leaving our ports. Great Britain accepted the responsibility for all losses, and the shipowners knew they were sure to get their money in the event of their ships being sunk. As a further precaution, the system of convoy was instituted, whereby half a dozen or a dozen ships journeyed together under the escort of some of our warships. An additional measure to cope with the marauding submarines was to arm our merchantmen so that they stood at least a chance of beating off an attack. Shrewd as were the German calculations of winning the war by the submarine campaign, and nearly as the enemy succeeded, they reckoned without our Admiralty Salvage Section. While all the powers of the British Admiralty were concentrated on destroying the German underwater craft, the abilities of the Naval Salvage Section were focused on repairing the damage wrought by enemy torpedoes. From a comparatively minor position, the Salvage Section sprang into paramount importance. As the list of torpedoed vessels grew day by day, so our salvage organization was enlarged to grapple with the extra duties. Directly a ship was torpedoed, the news was wirelessed to Whitehall, and the nearest available naval craft was ordered to stand by and render all the assistance possible until a salvage steamer arrived from the most convenient depot to take over. Salvage steamers and depots were dotted at various ports all round the coast, and as soon as particulars flashed through to the Director of Salvage he detailed his nearest available unit for the job. If a vessel still floated, he despatched powerful tugs to tow her to port; if she sank, he instructed a salvage officer to report on her position immediately. No time was wasted, for the loss of one tide might easily have meant the total loss of the vessel. Within a few minutes of the report coming to hand, the Director dealt with the case and suggested how it should be treated.