ORIGINAL: dr.hal
AMcs are good for local port mine prevention but remember that this craft does NOT search hexes next to its own location like larger minesweepers. It searches only its own location hex. I tried to use Armed Merchant Cruisers as actual surface ships to attack merchant ships and had a VERY difficult time with zero success. Many merchants even early in the war have some form of anti ship armament. This was evident by the action of the SS Stephen Hopkins vs. the German raider Stier were the Hopkins in Sept '42, despite being badly outgunned (having only one 4 in vs the Stier's 6x 5.9 in) managed to sink the German (although she went down with heavy loss of life as well).
That story reminded me of the old frog and bird picture.
