Some convoys did have designated rescue ships that would bring up the rear, and, if they had the opportunity, escorts would try to pick up survivors. That said, any ship that stopped to pick people up out of the water was an easy target for a u-boat that managed to escape detection and was still close-by.
On a related note, I once torpedoed a merchant and the one behind him stopped right alongside for about five minutes. I was amazed. Recorded in my log that he was picking up survivors, and I let him go.
__________________
“Never do anything you can't take back.”
—Rocky Russo
|