The Grand Fleet, 1914-1916 : $b its creation, development and workJellicoe, John Rushworth
History
The Grand Fleet, 1914-1916 : $b its creation, development and work
Jellicoe, John Rushworth
Great Britain. Royal Navy; Jutland, Battle of, 1916; World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations
The 10th Cruiser Squadron report for the month showed the average
weekly results as follows: Ships intercepted, 65; ships sent in, 13;
number of vessels on patrol, 14; number refitting, coaling or _en
route_ to or from patrol, 9.
The weather at Scapa was very misty. Fog or mist was experienced on the
3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 31st.
There were no gales.
On August 3rd the large floating-dock from the Medway, which had been
towed to the Tyne, was reported as ready for use.
On the 29th the old light cruiser _Brilliant_ arrived at Lerwick to
act as guard and depot ship at that base, which was being developed as
a secondary examination base for vessels sent in by the 10th Cruiser
Squadron.
An extended patrol to the south-eastward of the Pentland Firth during
the month was maintained by three armed boarding steamers and three
destroyers.
The principal events of September, 1915, may perhaps be given most
conveniently and briefly in diary form:
On September 1st eight destroyers, fitted for mine-sweeping, swept
the waters to the westward of the Pentland Firth. This was the first
occasion on which destroyers were used for this purpose.
September 1st and 2nd.--The _Black Prince_ and four light cruisers,
with six destroyers, carried out a sweep to the eastward from Scapa.
September 2nd–5th.--The Dreadnought Battle Fleet, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Cruiser Squadrons, and the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron were cruising
in northern waters. Destroyers screened the Fleet out and back, but
did not remain with it during the cruise, being kept at the base,
ready fuelled, in case it became necessary to move to the southward.
Battle exercises and night-firing were carried out during the cruise,
as opportunity offered. The battleship _Superb_ reported sighting the
periscope of a submarine.
On September 2nd the Fleet was visited by five French gentlemen of
eminence, and a representative of the United States Press. This was
the first visit paid to the Grand Fleet base by anyone not immediately
connected with the Service, and we were flattered that the occasion
should have brought to Scapa Flow representatives of our gallant Allies
from across the Channel. The Fleet left immediately after the visit,
and an opportunity was afforded our visitors of seeing the ships leave
harbour.
September 4th.--Another mine-sweeping sloop, the _Dahlia_, Lieutenant
G. Parsons, R.N., struck a mine in the Moray Firth mine-field during
sweeping operations. She was very badly damaged; Lieut. Parsons himself
was severely injured. The ship reached Invergordon with the loss of
three killed and one missing. She was subsequently repaired.
September 7th.--The 3rd Cruiser Squadron left Scapa, with destroyers,
swept down in the direction of the Horn Reef, and arrived at Rosyth on
the 9th without sighting enemy vessels. Visibility was low during the
sweep.
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