The _New York_ led the way, Admiral Rodman and his staff on the bridge, while Admiral Beatty, commander-in-chief, surrounded by his crew, stood on the deck of the _Queen Elizabeth_. On all the ships the officers and crews, manning the rails, stood at attention. The "Star Spangled Banner" came rolling from the British bands, and the American bands played "God Save the King." This was according to custom, but it was a real surprise to our sailors when there came from the British vessels an outburst of cheers that ran clear down the line. That seemed like home to our boys, and they replied with Yankee yells until Scapa resounded with such a roar of sound as it never heard before. "This is the most enthusiastic welcome an American squadron ever received anywhere," Admiral Rodman remarked. As soon as the ships anchored, Admiral Rodman made his official call on Admiral Beatty, on the _Queen Elizabeth_. As they exchanged greetings, Admiral Rodman said: "We are here, and we put ourselves entirely at your command. We ask no favors or privileges. We only want to be one of you. In a sense we feel that we are no longer merely the American Navy. We are now rather an integral part of your fleet for the purpose of unified prosecution of our great common aim. We have not come merely to take part in the spectacular side of your work. We want to do our fair share of everything, duties pleasant and unpleasant alike. We do not come to be your guests but to be co-workers. We do not want to be entertained; we want to work." That was characteristic of Rodman, who was selected to command our greatest ships overseas because of his outstanding ability as a great officer. "Today marks an epoch in the history of England and America," said Admiral Beatty, expressing the pleasure with which he had looked forward to the coming. There was sealed the firm friendship of those "Comrades of the Mist," the British and American dreadnaughts in that Grand Fleet, which formed the greatest aggregation of naval power the world ever saw, and whose very existence kept the German High Seas Fleet contained in its home ports, never again to venture out until it slunk to Scapa Flow in surrender. The American dreadnaughts which served with the Grand Fleet were the _New York_ (flagship), Captain C. F. Hughes, afterwards commanded by Captain E. L. Beach; the _Texas_, Captain Victor Blue; the _Wyoming_, Captain H. A. Wiley, afterward Captain H. H. Christy; the _Arkansas_, Captain W. H. G. Bullard, afterward Captain L. R. de Steiguer; the _Florida_, Captain Thomas Washington, afterward Captain M. M. Taylor; and the _Delaware_, Captain A. H. Scales.