The bases were leased for 99 years. Britain recieved for this, 50 WW1 vintage destroyers (the "Four pipers", known in British service as the Town Class.) Before use they needed refitting to cope with Atlantic conditions, but they were still obsolete and proved fairly unsuccessful as u-boat hunters. Many of the class alsosuffered from mechanical problems, and were eventually relegated to the torpedo training role.Logan Hartke wrote:LEASED?!?! We bought most of those islands from you with 99 destroyers. You guys got a bargain.
Logan Hartke
They filled a badly needed gap, but they were hardly a bargin.
http://members.tripod.com/mackenziegreg ... stroy.html