ABSTRACT
Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS) In anticipation of an outbreak of hostilities with Germany, the British Admiralty assumed control of all British merchant shipping on 29 August 1939. The task of managing the merchant marine was assigned to the Naval Trade Division of the Royal Naval Staff. The Admiralty created a new section within this division, the Office of Defen sively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS), to co ordinate and supervise the arming of British and neutral shipping.
