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During the Falklands War, the Royal Navy requisitioned a lot of civilian ships at short notice, the Atlantic Conveyor being the most famous after it was sunk.

The US Navy would likely do the same, the biggest issue could be retaining enough crew.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War_order_of_battle:...

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> The US Navy would likely do the same, the biggest issue could be retaining enough crew.

It doesn't help that when the U.S. Merchant Marine was made a part of the U.S. Navy during World War 2, the U.S.M.M. mariners were entitled to Vetern Status and benefits, but the U.S. Navy denied them that. Some mariners were able to get it, but they had to fight for it.

The U.S.M.M. had the highest casualty rate out of all of the services during World War 2: 4% - double that of the next highest - the U.S. Marines with 2%.

http://usmm.org

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