Watercolor of Royal Navy motor launch ML148, by LHS, 1918. The motor launch was a small vessel designed for harbor defense and anti-submarine work. The Elco company built 580 between 1915 and 1918 in three series of different lengths: 1 to 50 (75 ft.), 51 to 550 (86 ft.), and 551 to 580 (80 ft.). The original armament of a 13 pound cannon was later replaced by three depth charges. Signed: L.H.S. 18
Signed: L.H.S. 18On the launch bow: ML148
"13th February [1917]All eyes are on the submarine conflict. The British Navy inspires very great confidence. We have faith in its strategy and in the courage of its crews. Nevertheless, the problem of British supplies entails fearful unknown problems. Has everything been foreseen? May they not run short of tonnage? The Government has allocated for war purposes 50 percent according to Lloyd George, 60 per cent according to Runciman. There remains a very small margin for the food-supply and general commercial requirements. Submarine warfare could eat into this margin dangerously."
Beginning of the entry for February 3, 1917 from the war diary of Albert, King of the Belgians. Germany had begun its campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare two weeks before on February 1, seeking to starve Great Britain into submission. David Lloyd George was British Prime Minister. Runciman is, I believe, Walter Runciman, who served on the Board of Trade and focused on defeating Germany through the naval blockade.
The War Diaries of Albert I King of the Belgians by Albert I, page 156, copyright © 1954, publisher: William Kimber
1917-02-13, 1917, February, submarine, ML148, Motor Launch 148, ML 148, [2013-04-21]
