DECLARATION OF WAR
At 8.30 A.M. on August 4th, 1914, the Grand Fleet proceeded to sea
in compliance with Admiralty orders. The ships accompanying the
Fleet-Flagship _Iron Duke_ were the vessels of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and
4th Battle Squadrons, the light cruisers _Southampton_, _Birmingham_,
_Boadicea_, _Blonde_ and the destroyers of the 4th Flotilla; the
cruisers _Shannon_, _Natal_ and _Roxburgh_, and the light cruisers
_Nottingham_, _Falmouth_ and _Liverpool_, which were at Rosyth with the
2nd Destroyer Flotilla, were directed to meet the Fleet at a rendezvous
in Lat. 58.40 N., Long. 1.30 E. The light cruisers _Bellona_ and
_Blanche_ were left behind to coal.
A report received from the Admiralty that three German transports had
passed the Great Belt on the evening of August 1st had led to the 3rd
Cruiser Squadron, with the cruisers _Cochrane_ and _Achilles_, and the
1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, being ordered to sea on the evening of
August 3d to cruise to the southward of the Fair Island Channel during
the night.
The orders under which the Fleet acted were to sweep east as far as
Long. 2 E. and, then, for the cruisers to carry out a wide sweep to
the southward and south-westward. These orders were in conformity with
the general strategical ideas embodied in the War Orders for the Grand
Fleet, which, as already indicated, aimed at establishing a blockade;
at preventing the enemy forces from getting into the Atlantic to
interfere with the operations of our cruisers engaged in protecting
our own trade as well as stopping trade on the part of the enemy; and
at asserting control of the North Sea and denying it to the enemy.
Pursuant to these orders, the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron and 3rd
Cruiser Squadron were directed to sweep the area between Lat. 60 and 61
N., working eastward from the Shetland Islands to Long. 2 E., arriving
there at 4 P.M., thence to sweep to the S.E. until 5 A.M. on August
5th, when they were on a line drawn S.W. from Hangesund Light in Lat.
59.25 N. with the eastern ship 20 miles from the coast. The _Antrim_
and _Argyll_, being short of fuel, were detached during the evening of
August 4th to coal at Scapa.
The sweep was prolonged to the westward by the cruisers and light
cruisers from Rosyth; the 2nd Flotilla was detached to Rosyth to fuel.
This first sweep was begun in northern waters because the North Sea
is narrower at this point, and also because it afforded opportunity
of intercepting vessels which might have left German ports two days
previously in anticipation of hostilities. The cruiser sweep was
supported by the Battle Fleet, which steamed as far as Long. 2 E.,
turning at 3 A.M. on August 5th to the westward.
The 3rd Battle Squadron which had been compelled to leave Scapa 30 per
cent. short of fuel owing to the paucity of colliers, was detached to
that base at 8.30 P.M. on the 4th, to complete with coal.
During the night information was received by wireless telegraphy that
war had been declared against Germany at midnight, 4th–5th August, and
the following gracious message was received from His Majesty the King
and was communicated to the Fleet:
“At this grave moment in our National History, I send to you and
through you to the officers and men of the Fleet of which you have
assumed command, the assurance of my confidence that under your
direction they will revive and renew the old glories of the Royal
Navy, and prove once again the sure Shield of Britain and of her
Empire in the hour of trial.”
During daylight on the 5th, the Battle Fleet cruised to the northward
of Lat. 57.30 N., in accordance with Admiralty telegraphic orders; the
1st Battle Cruiser Squadron was sent back to Scapa to coal, as well as
four light cruisers and the _Lowestoft_, and the 4th Flotilla was sent
to Invergordon for a similar purpose. In the afternoon, the 2nd Cruiser
Squadron and the cruiser _Devonshire_, as well as the 1st Light Cruiser
Squadron, were detached to sweep to the eastward, and the Battle Fleet
turned to the southward at 3 A.M. on the 6th to meet the 3rd Battle
Squadron and 3rd Cruiser Squadron in Lat. 59 N., Long. 1.0 E.
During August 6th the following reports were received:
(_a_) Two German cruisers were reported passing Trondhjem going north.
(This came from the Admiralty.)
(_b_) Four torpedo-boats had been seen off the north-west end of the
Shetlands going north. (This was a local report.)
(_c_) The German liner _Kronprinzessin Cecilie_ was stated to have
passed through the Stronsay Firth, Orkneys, bound east, during the
night of the 5th–6th. (Local report.)
The destroyer _Oak_ was despatched to search the vicinity of the
Stronsay and Westray Firths, but obtained no confirmation of the report.
(_d_) It was reported that the Germans had established a base in Lat.
62 N. on the Norwegian coast (the exact position unknown).
A search of the coast by cruisers revealed nothing in confirmation of
the last report, but a British trawler reported that a large number
of German merchant ships had assembled in the West Fiord and in the
harbours of the Lofoten Islands on the coast of Norway. Reports as
to the Germans having established a base on the Norwegian coast were
very persistent during the early days of the War. These reports were
probably to some extent due to the ideas prevailing before the War
as to German intentions in this respect, these views being naturally
coloured by the frequent visits of the German High Sea Fleet in peace
time to Norwegian waters, particularly to the vicinity of Trondhjem.
In 1911, when I commanded the Atlantic Fleet, arrangements had been
made for me to visit Norwegian ports at the same time as the High Sea
Fleet, in order to bring about a meeting between the two navies, with,
it was hoped, beneficial results. But the Agadir crisis intervened, and
the visit was postponed. The meeting took place in 1914, when a portion
of the 2nd Battle Squadron, under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir
George Warrender, visited Kiel during the regatta week, very shortly
before the outbreak of war.
During daylight of August 6th the Dreadnought Battle Fleet cruised
between Lat. 59 N. and 60 N. and Long. 1 E. and 1 W.; the 2nd
Cruiser Squadron and the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron swept to the
eastward between Lat. 58 N. and 60 N., thence to the northward
along the Norwegian coast, and to the Shetlands and Scapa Flow, the
3rd Battle Squadron being detached to the N.E. to cover them. The
1st Battle Cruiser Squadron rejoined the Battle Fleet at sea after
refuelling; the 2nd Flotilla left Rosyth at daylight and swept to the
north-eastward; and the 4th Flotilla left Invergordon with orders to
search the vicinity of the Pentland Firth for submarines prior to the
arrival of the Battle Fleet on the 7th.
The Dreadnought Battle Fleet arrived at Scapa at 6 A.M. on the 7th
to fuel; the 2nd Cruiser Squadron and the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron
arrived at 10 A.M., and during the day the 3rd Cruiser Squadron, with
the 2nd Flotilla, carried out a thorough search of the Norwegian
coast, being covered by the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron and 3rd Battle
Squadron. No sign of a German base could be discovered, and the force
was ordered back to Scapa to fuel.
The fuelling of the Fleet was considerably delayed, owing to the
inadequate number of colliers, many of those present being also
unsuitable for the work of rapid coaling. The lack of lubricating
oil for the 3rd Battle Squadron also caused trouble, but these early
difficulties, although a source of considerable anxiety at the
commencement of hostilities, were overcome later.
The greatest anxiety constantly confronting me was the defenceless
nature of the base at Scapa, which was open to submarine and destroyer
attacks. Whilst the Fleet was fuelling the only protection that could
be afforded was to anchor light cruisers and destroyers off the various
entrances and to patrol outside the main entrance; but these measures
were no real defence against submarines, and the position was such that
it was deemed most inadvisable to keep the Fleet in harbour longer
than was absolutely necessary for fuelling purposes. Accordingly, at
6.30 P.M. on the same day, the Battle Fleet again proceeded to sea,
being screened through the Pentland Firth to the westward until dark
by the 4th Flotilla, and course being then shaped to pass round the
Orkneys into the North Sea. In order to provide some protection against
destroyer attack, a request was forwarded to the Admiralty asking
that two of the older battleships might be sent up to defend the main
entrances. This measure was approved and a reply was received that the
_Hannibal_ and _Magnificent_ were being despatched.
The _Russell_, _Albemarle_ and _Exmouth_, of the 6th Battle Squadron,
belonging originally to the Channel Fleet, arrived at Scapa to join the
Grand Fleet on the night of the 7th–8th.
At 9.30 P.M. on the 8th the battleships _Orion_, _Monarch_ and _Ajax_
were detached to carry out target practice, and the remainder of the
Fleet proceeded to the south-eastward from Fair Island, carrying out
Fire Control Exercises; but, on receipt of a report from the _Monarch_
that a torpedo had been fired at her by a submarine, the practice was
stopped and the ships rejoined, one-half of the 2nd Flotilla being
directed to search for the submarine. At 6.30 P.M. the officer of the
watch on board the _Iron Duke_ sighted a periscope and altered course
to ram; the same periscope was shortly afterwards reported by the
_Dreadnought_, but was not seen again.
At 4 A.M. on the 9th, the Fleet was in Lat. 58.31 N., Long. 1.9 E.
Shortly afterwards the _Orion_ reported a strong smell of oil, and
bubbles were seen on the surface, and the _Birmingham_, commanded by
Captain A. M. Duff, of the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, which had been
screening ahead of the Fleet with the 2nd Cruiser Squadron, claimed to
have rammed and sunk the German submarine U 15, which she had sighted
on the surface. This initial success was hailed with great satisfaction
in the Fleet. Subsequent information showed that the _Birmingham_
had been handled with great promptitude. During daylight of August
9th, the Battle Fleet and 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron were cruising
in company, the noon position being Lat. 58.41 N., Long. 0.15 W., and
as the presence of submarines was suspected, the Fleet was constantly
zigzagging, the ships altering course by “Blue Pendant” turns, that is,
turning together by signal.
At midnight, 9th–10th, the position of the _Iron Duke_ was Lat. 57.51
N., Long. 1.2 E.
On the 9th a telegram was dispatched to the Admiralty requesting that
the movements of the Commodore (T) and Commodore (S) might be directed
from the Admiralty, whilst the Commander-in-Chief with the Fleet
remained in northern waters, as it was not possible to be sufficiently
conversant with the conditions in the south for the Commander-in-Chief
to control these movements. This plan was adopted and continued
throughout the War.
On August 10th, the movements of the Fleet were as follows:
At 5 A.M. the _Iron Duke_ parted company from the Fleet and proceeded
to Scapa in order that the Commander-in-Chief might communicate by land
wire with the Admiralty and make further arrangements for the work at
the fleet bases. The _Iron Duke_, with the 2nd Cruiser Squadron, and
the _Falmouth_, _Liverpool_ and _Bellona_, arrived at Scapa at 2.30
P.M., the 2nd Flotilla forming a submarine screen through the Pentland
Firth.
The remainder of the Battle Fleet proceeded north under the command of
Sir George Warrender to a position to the westward of the Shetlands,
in accordance with telegraphic directions received from the Admiralty,
where it was considered that the submarine danger in the North Sea
was considerable at this time. The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron was
detached to sweep a wide area to northward and westward in advance of
the Battle Fleet, which was screened by the 4th Flotilla as far north
as Lat. 60 N.; this flotilla was then detached for operations on the
Norwegian coast in conjunction with the 3rd Cruiser Squadron and the
1st Light Cruiser Squadron. The latter force was directed to search for
a suspected German submarine base in the vicinity of Stavanger Fiord.
The Flag officer in command was directed to carry out the operation of
endeavouring to locate this base--if it existed--with due regard to
the susceptibilities of the Norwegians. Commodore W. E. Goodenough,
commanding the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, visited Stavanger in the
_Southampton_ and was assured by the Norwegian authorities that no base
had been formed in that vicinity by the enemy.
The 2nd Cruiser Squadron and the _Falmouth_ left Scapa at 10 P.M. on
the 10th to co-operate with the 3rd Cruiser Squadron, the _Hannibal_
and _Magnificent_ having arrived at Scapa at 4 P.M. These two
battleships were stationed to defend the Hoxa and Hoy entrances to
Scapa Flow against attack by destroyers.
Rear-Admiral Miller, who arrived in the _Hannibal_, was placed in
administrative charge of the base and of the local defences, and
arrangements were made for the local Territorial Force and other
inhabitants of the Orkneys and Shetlands to patrol the coast and watch
the harbours. Telephonic communication round the coast was established
by degrees.
Reports were received of aeroplanes having been seen over the Orkneys
on the evening of the 10th, and the _Centurion_ reported having sighted
an airship north of the Shetlands on the same evening. Little credence
was attached to these reports, which in the early days of the War were
very frequently received.
_August 11th._--The _Iron Duke_ left Scapa and rejoined the Battle
Fleet at 5 P.M. in Lat. 60.8 N., Long. 3.28 W. The Battle Fleet
was then exercised in forming line of battle, and also carried out
sub-calibre gun practice. The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron joined after
completing its northern sweep and was detached to Scapa to fuel at 8
P.M. The 3rd Cruiser Squadron, 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, and 4th
Flotilla, having completed their examination of the Norwegian coast,
returned, some to Scapa and some to Cromarty, to fuel. The 2nd Cruiser
Squadron returned to a position N.E. by E., 30 miles from Kinnaird
Head. The _Drake_, flying the Flag of Rear-Admiral W. L. Grant, which
had joined the Grand Fleet, was dispatched to search the coast of the
Faroe Islands for possible enemy bases.
The 10th Cruiser Squadron, consisting of the old cruisers of the
“Edgar” class, had by this time been established on a northern patrol
area between the Shetlands and the Norwegian coast, under the command
of Rear-Admiral Dudley de Chair.
On this day orders were given to establish Loch Ewe, on the north-west
coast of Scotland, as a secondary coaling base for the Fleet, and
Rear-Admiral Richard P. F. Purefoy was appointed to take charge of the
base.
A week of war had now elapsed without any move whatever being made
on the part of the High Sea Fleet; the only German naval activities
had been mine-laying in southern waters during the first two days of
the War, together with some submarine activity in the North Sea. The
British Fleet during the week had been largely occupied in boarding all
merchant vessels sighted, and in instituting as strict a blockade as
was possible.
[Illustration:
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, CAPTAIN OF THE FLEET (COMMODORE LIONEL
HALSEY), AND THE FLAG LIEUTENANT (LIEUT.-COMMANDER HERBERT
FITZHERBERT), ON BOARD H. M. S. “IRON DUKE”]
_August 12th._--The Battle Fleet to the westward of the Orkneys (noon
position Lat. 59.20 N., Long. 4.12 W.) was exercised during the
forenoon and afternoon at battle tactics and carried out gunnery
practices between 4 and 8 P.M.; it proceeded then to Scapa Flow to
fuel, arriving at daylight on the 15th, with the exception of the
3rd Battle Squadron, which went to Loch Ewe to coal, and to test
the suitability of this base and its capability for defence against
submarine attack.
The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, which had been fuelling at Scapa, left
before dark on the 12th to cruise west of the Orkneys with orders to
economise fuel in view of a projected operation to the southward.
The 2nd Cruiser Squadron and the _Falmouth_ swept 100 miles to the
south-eastward from Kinnaird Head during the day, and then returned to
Cromarty to fuel.
The _Bellona_ and _Liverpool_ swept to the south-eastward of the
Pentland Firth during the day and night of the 12th, together with
one-half of the 2nd Flotilla as a guard against destroyer attack on the
Fleet whilst coaling.
The 10th Cruiser Squadron remained on the northern patrol. A report was
received from Rear-Admiral Grant, in the _Drake_, that the position in
the Faroe Islands was quite satisfactory, neutrality being observed.
The _Drake_ remained on patrol to the north-eastward of the Faroe
Islands, and two ships of the 10th Cruiser Squadron were sent to assist
her in her work of blockade.
Rear-Admiral E. R. Pears was on this date appointed in charge of the
Fleet Base at Cromarty.
The Admiralty informed me that a neutral steamer from Hamburg had
arrived in England and reported that there were fourteen enemy
battleships at Cuxhaven on the 9th inst., together with several
mine-layers; that there were 30 destroyers between Cuxhaven and
Heligoland, and that a large mine-field had been laid outside the
entrance to the Jade river. This was the first definite news of the
enemy’s main fleet.
_August 13th._--The Dreadnought Battle Fleet was coaling at Scapa
during the day, and the 3rd Battle Squadron coaling and storing at Loch
Ewe. My object in providing this alternative base was to expedite entry
into the bases for fuelling, and also to be prepared with a second base
in the event of Scapa Flow becoming untenable by submarine attack.
The _Albemarle_ relieved the _Liverpool_ and _Bellona_ on patrol to the
eastward of the Orkneys in the evening, these two ships returning to
Scapa to fuel.
The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron was at sea west of the Orkneys; the 2nd
Cruiser Squadron at Cromarty coaling; the 3rd Cruiser Squadron at sea
sweeping to the south-eastward from the Aberdeenshire coast; and the
1st Light Cruiser Squadron at Scapa coaling. The _Falmouth_ was now
attached to this squadron.
The 10th Cruiser Squadron and the _Drake_ were on the northern and
Faroe patrols. During the day the Commander-in-Chief held a conference
with the Flag officers of the Fleet and explained the operations
contemplated on the 15th and 16th inst. At 7.30 P.M. the Dreadnought
Battle Fleet proceeded to sea to the westward, except two ships which
had not finished coaling, the operation having been again delayed owing
to an insufficient number of colliers being provided. They followed
later.
The _Ajax_ reported a turret defective, and was sent back to effect
repairs with the aid of the _Cyclops_.
_August 14th._--During the forenoon the Dreadnought Battle Fleet and
battle cruisers were carrying out target practice. Noon position of the
_Iron Duke_, Lat. 59.11 N., Long. 4.27 W.
At 2 P.M. all Battle Squadrons, including the 3rd Battle Squadron from
Rosyth and the 6th Battle Squadron, rejoined the Flag, and battle
exercises, including deployments, were carried out till 7 P.M.
At midnight the whole Fleet passed through the Fair Island Channel on
its way to carry out a sweep in the North Sea.
During the night of the 14th–15th all squadrons were moving towards a
concentration rendezvous in the North Sea, that for the 2nd and 3rd
Cruiser Squadrons being Lat. 58.52 N., Long. 0.0, and for the 1st Light
Cruiser Squadron Lat. 59.0 N., Long. 0.15 E., at 3 A.M. on the 15th;
the rendezvous for the 2nd and 4th Flotillas was Lat. 59.7 N., Long.
0.40 W., at 4 A.M. the 15th; for the mine-sweepers Lat. 58.40 N., Long.
3.45 E., at 6 P.M. the 15th; four ships of the 10th Cruiser Squadron
from the northern patrol joined the Fleet at 6 A.M. on the 15th.
Towards the end of July, 1914, information from a usually reliable
source had been received at the Admiralty indicating that the Germans
intended carrying out a very extensive mine-laying policy in British
waters in the event of war between the two countries. The actual
positions of many mine-fields were given by our informant, and it
was apparent, provided the information were correct, that the enemy
intended to lay mines regardless of their effect on mercantile traffic,
whether British, Allied, or neutral.
The proceedings of the mine-layer _Köningen Louise_ in the first days
of war tended to confirm this view, and consequently it was thought to
be quite probable that mine-fields of an extensive character might be
laid in the North Sea, in positions where they might be expected to be
effective against any movement of our Fleet, particularly any southward
movement.
The small margin of superiority which we possessed over the
German fleet, as compared with the immense difference in our naval
responsibilities, made it very necessary that precautions should be
taken to safeguard the most valuable of our ships from such a menace
when operating in waters that might be mined.
It was for this reason that the six mine-sweepers accompanied the
Battle Fleet during this sweep, for, although the speed of the Fleet
was necessarily reduced by their presence in order to admit of sweeping
operations, and the danger from submarine attack thereby increased,
and although the sweeping operations could only be carried out in an
exploratory fashion, there _was_ the chance that the danger incurred by
taking the whole Fleet over possible mine-fields might be much reduced.
Later, when it became impossible to take the sweepers to sea as their
presence was more necessary in the vicinity of the bases, the practice
was introduced of placing one of the older battleships of the 6th
Battle Squadron ahead of each squadron of the Dreadnought Fleet in
order that these less valuable ships might first discover the mines
instead of the Dreadnought battleships. The officers and men of the 6th
Battle Squadron named their Squadron the “Mine Bumping Squadron” on
this account.
_August 15th._--At noon the _Iron Duke’s_ position was Lat. 58.16 N.,
Long. 1.45 E., the whole Fleet being in company in cruising order and
steering to the eastward, preparatory to turning south. The plan of
operations included a sweep of the southern part of the North Sea by
cruiser forces comprising some of the older cruisers, together with
the 1st and 3rd Flotillas from Harwich; two of our submarines had been
ordered to be off the Ems and two off the Jade by 6 A.M. on the 16th.
During the day three sea-planes and two aeroplanes arrived at Scapa for
reconnaissance work from the base.
_August 16th._--At 4 A.M. the _Iron Duke_ was in Lat. 56.43 N., Long.
4.5 E. At 8 A.M., no report having been received of the sighting of
any German vessels, the Commander-in-Chief directed the cruisers to
continue the sweep until 9.30 A.M. At this time the Fleet-flagship
_Iron Duke’s_ position was Lat. 55.56 N., Long. 4.40 E., the battle
cruisers being some 40 to 50 miles ahead of the Battle Fleet. The only
enemy vessel seen was one submarine by the _New Zealand_ at 10.35 A.M.
in Lat. 55.45 N., Long. 5.26 E.
The weather was very fine with high visibility, and at 9.30 A.M., the
cruisers being then well to the southward of the latitude of the Horn
Reef, the whole Fleet turned to the northward, the Battle Fleet on a
north by west course, at a speed of 12 knots, zigzagging.
Rear-Admiral Christian, of the 7th Cruiser Squadron, reported that the
sweep of the southern force had been unproductive.
The cruisers were now disposed on a wide front for a northerly sweep,
spreading from the Norwegian coast, for a distance of 150 miles, to the
westward, with the Battle Fleet in the centre. The 2nd Cruiser Squadron
swept to Lister, on the Norwegian coast, and then along that coast as
far as Lat. 60 N., thence towards Kinnaird Head, with the 1st Battle
Cruiser Squadron prolonging and supporting. The 3rd Cruiser Squadron
extended the front to the westward, supported by the 3rd Battle
Squadron.
The 1st Light Cruiser Squadron remained in rear of the Battle Fleet
until dusk, and then was stationed 12 miles ahead. The 10th Cruiser
Squadron, spread 10 miles apart, covered the area between the Battle
Fleet and the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. The 2nd and 4th Flotillas remained
with the Battle Fleet, acting as a submarine screen by day, and
keeping in rear of the Fleet at night.
The mine-sweepers, which had swept ahead of the Battle Fleet when on
the southerly course, acted as a submarine screen during the passage
to the northward. During the night of the 16th–17th the 3rd Cruiser
Squadron was detached to Cromarty to coal, the 10th Cruiser Squadron to
Scapa to coal, and to resume the northern patrol, and the 6th Battle
Squadron, the 2nd Flotilla mine-sweepers and 3rd Battle Squadron
proceeded to Scapa to fuel.
_August 17th._--At 7.15 A.M. the Dreadnought Battle Fleet altered
course to pass through the Fair Island Channel, and the 1st Battle
Cruiser Squadron rejoined. The 4th Flotilla, which had been disposed
astern during the night, resumed station as a submarine screen at
daylight. The Battle Fleet zigzagged as usual throughout daylight.
At noon the _Iron Duke’s_ position was Lat. 58.59 N., Long. 1.35 E. At
midnight, Lat. 59.27 N., Long. 2.25 W., and at 8 A.M. the 18th, Lat.
58.44 N., Long. 4.47 W.
The 2nd Cruiser Squadron on the northerly sweep sighted only neutral
vessels and proceeded to work in an area designated as No. 5 (eastward
from Kinnaird Head). Noon position, Lat. 58.42 N., Long. 3.0 E.
This area, No. 5, was designed to cover the approach to the Pentland
Firth, both for blockade purposes and as an outpost position for the
Fleet at Scapa.
At this time, the northern and central parts of the North Sea were
divided into certain numbered areas in which cruisers could be directed
by wireless to work without the necessity of making a long signal.
The various areas were approximately placed as follows:
Area No. 1.--Covering the route round the north end of the
Shetland Islands from the southward and eastward.
Area No. 2.--Covering the Fair Island Channel to
south-eastward, working down to the line Kinnaird
Head--Udsire.
Area No. 3.--South-eastward from the N.E. end of the Orkneys
to Lat. of Kinnaird Head, with a width of about 50 miles
from the line Noss Head--Kinnaird Head.
Area No. 4.--South-eastward 120 miles from the line Kinnaird
Head--Udsire Lighthouse between 70 and 140 miles from
Kinnaird Head.
Area No. 5.--South-eastward 120 miles from the line Kinnaird
Head--Udsire Lighthouse, between Area 4 and Norwegian
territorial waters.
Area No. 6.--South-eastward 120 miles from the line Kinnaird
Head--Udsire Lighthouse, between 20 and 70 miles from
Kinnaird Head.
Area No. 7.--Between Lat. 55.20 N. and 57.50 N. and between
50 and 150 miles from the English coast.
The 10th Cruiser Squadron, having coaled, left to resume the northern
patrol; the _Drake_, and the two ships acting with her, were ordered to
return to Scapa to coal, and directions were given for the other two
ships to rejoin the 10th Cruiser Squadron subsequently. During the day
the _Orion_ developed serious condenser defects, necessitating retubing
her condensers. A telegram was sent to the Admiralty requesting that
new condenser tubes might be sent at once to Loch Ewe, together with
dockyard workmen to assist with the retubing. Meanwhile arrangements
were made for giving fleet assistance to the _Orion_, and for all
suitable spare condenser tubes from the fleet to be sent to her on
arrival.
The situation as regards the coal supply to the Fleet had by this
time become very serious, and was causing me much anxiety; in reply
to strong representations to the Admiralty, a telegram was received
explaining the position and the efforts being made to rectify matters.
The Admiralty also informed me of the great importance that was
attached to the efficiency of the northern patrol, and stated that four
armed merchant ships were being sent to reinforce the 10th Cruiser
Squadron.
The constant sea work had by this time shown the inadequacy of the
engine-room implements of all ships for war conditions, and, in
consequence of representations to this effect, 1,000 R.N.R. firemen
were sent to Scapa for distribution amongst the various ships. The
benefit derived from this measure was very considerable.
Two Fleet messenger vessels, the _Cambria_ and _Anglia_, arrived at
Scapa on the 17th. These ships were used for communication between the
bases, for carrying mails and despatches, and for boarding duties.
_August 18th._--The Dreadnought Battle Fleet arrived at Loch Ewe to
fuel early in the afternoon; it was accompanied by the 1st Light
Cruiser Squadron which was without the _Falmouth_ and _Liverpool_. The
attached cruisers were anchored in suitable positions for defending the
entrance against submarine attack, so far as they were capable of doing
it, and the armed steamboats of the fleet patrolled the entrance.
The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron had been detached to Scapa at daylight
to fuel. A coaling base for the 10th Cruiser Squadron had been by this
time established at Lerwick in order to shorten the distance for the
ships when proceeding to fuel. The _Alsatian_, an armed merchant ship,
joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron.
The _Assistance_ arrived at Loch Ewe as base repair ship, and was
connected to the shore telegraph system.
Aeroplanes were reported off Foula Island, south-west of the Shetlands,
during the night of the 18th–19th. Enquiry showed this rumour to be
false.
The Admiralty informed me on this date that Rear-Admiral Arthur
Christian, with his Flag in the _Sapphire_, had been placed in command
of all forces in the southern portion of the North Sea, namely, Cruiser
force C, the destroyer and submarine flotillas. As already explained,
these forces were acting under direct Admiralty orders and were
independent of me, unless ordered to join my Flag.
This organisation was dropped later on, after the loss of the _Cressy_,
_Aboukir_ and _Hogue_, Cruiser force C being abolished, and the command
of the destroyer and submarine forces reverting to their own senior
officers.
_August 19th, 21st, 22nd._--The Battle Fleet and 1st Battle Cruiser
Squadron remained in harbour during the 19th, coaling, storing,
cleaning boilers, and taking in additional ammunition up to a maximum
storage. With the exception of the _Orion_, these ships left on the
20th at 6.30 P.M. for an area to the westward of the Orkneys and
Shetlands, with orders to carry out target practice on the 21st. The
battle cruiser _New Zealand_ was ordered to the Humber to join the
_Invincible_.
As Commodore Keyes reported on this date that our submarines in the
Heligoland Bight were being followed and watched by German trawlers
fitted with wireless, I informed the Admiralty that I proposed to treat
such vessels as men of war. This was approved. The 2nd and 3rd Cruiser
Squadrons were directed to work in Patrol Area 1 alternately, and to
carry out target practice in the Cromarty Firth, _en route_ to the
patrol area.
The practice of the Battle Fleet on the 21st was interfered with by fog
and the Fleet did not form up until late at night, and passed through
the Fair Island Channel into the North Sea during the early morning
of the 22nd. The Battle Fleet was joined off Fair Island by the 1st
Light Cruiser Squadron, was exercised in battle tactics during the day,
and in the afternoon was joined by the 2nd Flotilla as a submarine
screen in Lat. 59.50 N., Long. 1.30 E. The position of the _Iron Duke_
at midnight, 22nd–23rd, was Lat. 59.34 N., Long. 1.58 E., steering to
southward.
The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, which had been detained at Scapa by
fog during the 21st, carried out target practice to the westward of the
Orkneys on the 22nd, and then proceeded to a position in Lat. 59.15
N., Long. 1 E., in readiness to support cruisers of the 3rd Cruiser
Squadron and the 6th Cruiser Squadron, now comprising the _Drake_ and
_King Alfred_, which were ordered to work between Scotland and Norway
in areas to the southward of the position named.
There were no reports of enemy ships being sighted except one submarine
in Lat. 55.4 N., Long. 1.35 E., on August 20th. The Admiralty informed
me on this date that the Portsmouth floating-dock had left for Cromarty
northabout, in pursuance of the policy decided on before the War. It
was, therefore, suggested that one of the boy artificers’ floating
workshops should be sent north to work in conjunction with the dock.
Steps were taken to carry out this suggestion, but the ship was lost on
passage in bad weather near Portland.
_August 23rd._--The Battle Fleet remained cruising in the North Sea in
support of the Cruiser Squadrons, the weather being misty, with rain.
The 3rd Battle Squadron was detached to Scapa to coal, to arrive at
daylight, the 24th; the 2nd and 6th Cruiser Squadrons and 1st Light
Cruiser Squadron, supported by the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, were
sweeping to the southward as far south as Lat. 56 N.; the _Alsatian_
was sent with the 6th Cruiser Squadron to look out off Jaederens Point,
on the southern coast of Norway, to ascertain if German merchant ships,
trying to make their own ports, were leaving territorial waters at
this point, and, if so, to capture them. One-half of the 2nd Flotilla
was screening the Battle Fleet, the second half searching for a
submarine reported east of the Orkneys. A submarine was sighted by the
_Ruby_ of the 2nd Flotilla with the Battle Fleet at 5 P.M., and course
altered to avoid her.
The destroyers _Rifleman_ and _Comet_ collided in a fog, the latter
being considerably damaged.
The _Sappho_ was sent to search North Rona Island, a statement having
been received indicating that it might possibly have been used by the
enemy as a base for aircraft. She reported, after examination, that the
island was, as expected, unsuitable for such a purpose.
The _Ajax_ reported having burnt out a boiler, and the Admiralty was
asked to instruct the contractors to send to Scapa men and tubes for
retubing it.
The _King Edward VII._ reported cracks in the inner A tubes of two of
her 12-inch guns.
_August 24th._--The Battle Fleet cruised between the Orkneys and the
Norwegian coast, and carried out battle tactics during the forenoon,
the weather becoming too thick in the afternoon.
The 1st Battle Squadron was detached to Scapa to fuel, as well as
the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, the latter being relieved by the
3rd Cruiser Squadron. The remainder of the cruisers continued their
sweeping operations as on the 23rd.
_August 25th._--The 3rd Battle Squadron left Scapa to relieve the 1st
Battle Cruiser Squadron in immediate support of the cruisers at 6 A.M.,
and while _en route_ to its position captured an Austrian steamer, the
_Attila_. The remainder of the Battle Fleet left its cruising ground,
arriving at Scapa at 7.30 A.M. on the 26th, with the 1st Battle Cruiser
Squadron to fuel. The _Agincourt_, a new battleship which was bought
from Turkey when still in an unfinished state, was met off Noss Head
and entered with the Fleet.
At 5.30 P.M. a submarine was sighted from the bridge of the _Iron
Duke_, and the Fleet manœuvred clear of the position. One-half of
the 4th Flotilla, which had screened the 3rd Battle Squadron to sea,
joined the Commander-in-Chief at 5 P.M., and was ordered to search for
this submarine, but without result. The _Drake_, of the 6th Cruiser
Squadron, left the Norwegian coast for Scapa at 4 A.M., the 25th, owing
to condenser trouble.
The _Dominion_ reported two of her 12-inch guns cracked. The _King
Edward VII_. left Scapa for Devonport to change her two guns, which had
also cracked, Vice-Admiral Bradford shifting his flag to the battleship
_Dominion_.
The weather was thick during the night of the 25th–26th, but the fog
lifted sufficiently for the Battle Fleet to enter Scapa.
_August 26th._--The _Iron Duke_, the 2nd and 4th Battle Squadrons, 1st
Battle Cruiser Squadron, and 2nd Flotilla, were at Scapa fuelling.
The 1st Battle Squadron, with one-half of the 4th Flotilla, left to
join the 3rd Battle Squadron at sea, their departure having been
delayed for some hours by thick fog.
The 2nd Cruiser Squadron left patrol at 5 P.M. for Rosyth to coal.
The 6th Cruiser Squadron left patrol at 8 P.M. to coal, the _King
Alfred_ at Scapa, and the _Alsatian_ at Liverpool; the arrangements in
the large merchant-ships were such as to render coaling from colliers a
difficult and slow progress.
The 10th Cruiser Squadron, except the _Mantua_, left the northern
patrol to coal at Scapa.
During the day the Admiralty informed me of some operations which the
southern forces were intended to carry out in the Heligoland Bight on
the 28th, and directed that the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron should join
in the operations. I made urgent representations as to the necessity of
supporting the force with battle cruisers, and informed the Admiralty
that I was sending the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron to take part. I
requested that the Vice-Admiral, 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, and the
Commodore, 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, might be informed direct by the
Admiralty of the positions which the other ships would occupy, and that
the senior officers of the southern force taking part should also be
informed of the presence of the battle cruisers and 1st Light Cruiser
Squadron.
On this date 1,000 additional seamen ratings arrived to join the Fleet,
experience having shown that the number of deck complements, as well as
the engine-room complements, required increasing, principally owing to
the heavy guns of the secondary armament being so constantly manned at
sea--by day against submarine attack, and by night against destroyer
attack.
_August 27th._--On this date I wired to the Admiralty proposing
the erection of two wireless stations in the Orkneys for local
communication, and a directional station to assist in locating the
positions of German ships using wireless. The remainder of the Battle
Fleet proceeded to sea at 6 P.M. to join the 1st and 3rd Battle
Squadrons at 7 A.M. on the 28th to the south-eastward of the Orkneys in
Lat. 58.20 N., Long. 0.20 W. The 2nd Flotilla accompanied the Fleet as
a submarine screen.
On this date a patrol of the eastern approaches to the Pentland Firth
was inaugurated by the Mine-laying Squadron which was not required at
the time for mine-laying operations, with the object of ensuring a
closer watch on the mercantile traffic through the Pentland Firth, and
the _Oceanic_, an armed merchant cruiser, which had joined the Fleet,
was detached to carry out a patrol to the westward of the Fair Island
Channel in order to control the traffic at this point.
Information was received from the Admiralty of the existence of mined
areas off Harwich, Flamborough Head and Tynemouth. The positions of the
two latter minefields appeared to corroborate the information obtained
prior to the outbreak of war.
A collision occurred at 9.30 P.M. between the _Bellerophon_ and the
s.s. _St. Clair_, which was passing through the Fleet. The _St. Clair_
was damaged, but the damage to the _Bellerophon_ was not serious.
_August 28th._--The weather was misty with a visibility of 4 to 6 miles
until the evening, when it cleared slightly. The Battle Fleet during
the day proceeded to the southward, the noon position being Lat. 58.19
N., Long. 0.21 E., with cruisers in advance.
The Fleet was exercised during the day at battle tactics. The sweep
of light forces into the Heligoland Bight which took place at dawn
was successful in bringing enemy light forces to action. The official
despatches relating to this operation are given in an Appendix. The
events may be shortly described here. At 6.53 A.M. Commodore Tyrwhitt,
commanding the Harwich force, which had swept into the Heligoland Bight
during the night to cut off enemy vessels, sighted a destroyer and
chased her. From 7.20 to 8 A.M. the _Arethusa_ and the 3rd Flotilla
were in action with destroyers and torpedo-boats making for Heligoland,
sinking one destroyer. At 7.57 the _Arethusa_, Commodore Tyrwhitt’s
flagship, which had been in commission only a few days, sighted two
enemy light cruisers, and engaged them, assisted a little later by
the light cruiser _Fearless_. At 8.25 A.M. a hit from the _Arethusa_
wrecked the fore bridge of one of the enemy ships, and they both
steamed at once for Heligoland, which was then sighted, and our ships
turned to the westward. The _Arethusa_ had been considerably damaged
during the action and had suffered several casualties.
At 10.55 A.M. another German light cruiser was sighted by the
_Arethusa_, and on being attacked by the _Fearless_ and destroyers
turned away; she reappeared at 11.5 and engaged the _Arethusa_ and
_Fearless_ and was attacked by these ships and by destroyers and again
turned away. Meanwhile Commodore Tyrwhitt had informed Sir David
Beatty of the position, and that officer proceeded at full speed to
his support. The light cruiser _Mainz_ had been attacking the somewhat
disabled _Arethusa_ and the _Fearless_ at about 11.30 A.M. and had
suffered very severely in the action, being practically disabled.
The arrival of the First Light Cruiser Squadron, under Commodore
Goodenough, on the scene at about noon secured her destruction.
Between 12.37 P.M. and 1.45 P.M. the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron and
1st Light Cruiser Squadron engaged two other German light cruisers, one
of which was sunk; the second was last seen burning furiously and in a
sinking condition.
Even thus early in the War the difference between the behaviour of
British and German seamen was noticeable. On the British side, in
addition to other assistance rendered to the survivors of the _Mainz_
(which had been sunk), Commander Keyes, in the destroyer _Firedrake_,
proceeded alongside and rescued 220 of her crew, many of them being
wounded. A German light cruiser opened fire on the British destroyers
engaged in picking up survivors from the German destroyer V187 when
that vessel was sunk by our craft, thus making it necessary for the
destroyers to leave behind the boats carrying out the rescue work. The
British submarine E4 afterwards took our officers and men out of these
boats and left some unwounded Germans to take the other boats, which
contained German wounded, to Heligoland.
In the afternoon of August 28th the 10th Cruiser Squadron was
directed to work in Area No. 6, leaving the armed merchant cruisers
farther to the northward. The object was to give a better chance of
intercepting enemy vessels or neutral ships carrying contraband of war
by establishing two patrols on the probable exit or entrance courses,
one of which would in all probability be crossed of necessity during
daylight hours, even if the second were passed through at night.
_August 29th._--This was a bright, fine day, with high visibility.
The Dreadnought Battle Fleet remained at sea with three divisions of
the 2nd Flotilla, cruising and carrying out battle tactics and other
exercises.
The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron arrived at Scapa to fuel at 7 P.M.,
in company with the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, the _Liverpool_ being
detached to Rosyth to land the German prisoners captured in the
Heligoland Bight on the 28th.
The 2nd Cruiser Squadron was cruising in Area No. 5, which the 3rd
Cruiser Squadron left during the day for Cromarty to fuel.
The 6th Cruiser Squadron and 10th Cruiser Squadron were in Area No. 6;
the mine-layers were in Area No. 3.
During the day the _Oak_ arrived from Scapa with telegrams and
despatches for me and returned with similar correspondence for the
Admiralty. The _Oak_ was usually employed on this duty while the _Iron
Duke_ was at sea during the earlier months of the War, my infrequent
visits to a base rendering this essential.
Some risk from submarine attack was naturally involved during the
time that the _Iron Duke_, or any other heavy ship, was stopped to
communicate. The risk was recognised, and, as the number of enemy
submarines increased, it became undesirable to incur it, and the
practice of stopping ships at sea for any such purpose was abandoned;
the longer time spent in harbour tended to reduce the necessity for
the practice to some extent, but during the early part of the War this
was the only means of conveying despatches to the Fleet when it was
constantly at sea.
The reported increase in enemy mine-laying off our eastern coasts
caused me to suggest to the Admiralty at this time the desirability of
the patrol flotillas working somewhat farther seaward, and to ask for
an increase as soon as possible in the number of fast light craft to
work off the northern fleet bases. A request for 20 drifters to work in
the approaches to the Pentland Firth was also forwarded.
The Fleet messenger _Cambria_ was brought out to work with the Battle
Fleet for the purpose of boarding merchant ships owing to the shortage
of light cruisers for this work.
_August 30th._--In the afternoon the Dreadnought Battle Fleet shaped
course for Scapa, and arrived at 7 A.M. on the 31st to fuel, the 3rd
Battle Squadron being ordered out to the eastward of the Orkneys to
support the 2nd Cruiser Squadron, which was searching the eastern
portion of Area 5.
The patrol of the 6th and 10th Cruiser Squadrons was continued as
usual, the 6th Cruiser Squadron leaving the Area at 3 A.M. on the 31st
to fuel at Scapa.
During the day the _Assistance_ returned to Scapa from Loch Ewe as
base ship, and the _Illustrious_ arrived there as defence ship for the
entrance. I had decided her position during my previous visit.
As a result of inquiries of the Admiralty, I was informed that trawlers
were being taken up and armed for patrol duties as rapidly as possible,
and that arrangements for the defences of Scapa, which had formed the
subject of correspondence between the Admiralty and myself, had been
approved, including the laying of certain mine-fields at the entrances.
_August 31st._--A sweep towards the Scottish coast of all vessels at
sea, or ready for sea, was carried out in consequence of information
having been received pointing to the possibility of mine-laying by the
enemy in the vicinity of the Pentland Firth or Moray Firth during the
night of August 31st–September 1st; the sweep was arranged to intercept
the enemy mine-layers on their return trip. But it was unproductive,
no mine-laying having taken place. The squadrons engaged in the sweep
were the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, 3rd Battle Squadron, 3rd Cruiser
Squadron, 10th Cruiser Squadron.
In consequence of urgent representations as to the insufficiency of
.303 rifle ammunition for the Army, all ships disembarked 50 per cent.
of their ammunition of this calibre at the end of August for conveyance
to Woolwich.
Later, still more of the rifle ammunition and all but a very small
number of rifles, as well as many machine-guns, were landed from the
Fleet for use by the Army.
A meeting of all the captains of Dreadnought battleships was held on
board the _Iron Duke_ on August 31st in order to discuss with them the
subject of tactics in action.