Ive read conflicting opinions. One was the USN and Yanks didn't take the U-boats seriously. Another was "above" and stupidity of US Mayors not wanting to cut power, which would impact the economy, thus putting coastal shipping at greater risk by lighting them up for the U-boats.

Another was the lack of USN escort platforms and aircraft. Another? We Yanks just didn't take the U-boats seriously. Another was a lack of technology but since our Allies had already developed effective electronic means would they not have shared?

Lastly was the total failure of the USN to practice ASW operations in between wars but this seems madness due to the impact the boats had on WW1. My question is what was the main blunder that led to such a disastrous/extended chain of events off the US east coast that went for 8 mos , led to the Loss of 609 ships , over 3 million tons of shipping, for only the Loss of 22 U-boats?

The German force of long range boats was so small its inexcusable we allowed this to happen.