On returning, my opinion was asked by the Admiralty as to the steps which could be taken to minimise the danger of a recurrence of such raids on unfortified towns on the south-east coast as that of the 25th. Although they inflicted no military damage, they were undoubtedly a great annoyance owing to the alarm of the inhabitants, and might result in much loss of life. I suggested that the placing of the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Humber or in the Thames might act as a deterrent, and in any case would make it necessary for the enemy to bring heavy ships, which would give us an opportunity of inflicting injury by submarines or by the ships of the Grand Fleet, if, by good fortune, we happened to be cruising sufficiently far to the southward at the time. The presence of the squadron in southern waters would be useful, also, in the unlikely event of landing raids, and would provide a good backing to the Harwich force, although the difficulties of movement, due to the frequent mine-laying by enemy submarines in southern waters, were considerable. I pointed out that since the arrival of the 5th Battle Squadron and the other new ships, the 3rd Battle Squadron was no longer required to strengthen the Grand Fleet; the ships of the “Revenge” class were also approaching completion. The proposal was adopted, and the 3rd Battle Squadron and 3rd Cruiser Squadron sailed for the Humber on the 29th, _en route_ to the Medway. On that port the 3rd Battle Squadron was based in future, the ships of the 3rd Cruiser Squadron being gradually withdrawn for service in foreign waters. The Admiralty also stationed some of the monitors in the more important undefended ports. During the month of April a policy, suggested by me, of placing the Captains (D) in flotilla leaders instead of in light cruisers, was adopted. This was made possible by the completion of several vessels of the class. The object was to add the light cruisers thus released to our all too slender light cruiser force. The average weekly figures for the 10th Cruiser Squadron during April were: Number of ships intercepted, 40; number sent in, 10; number of ships on patrol, 12; number absent at ports or _en route_ to or from patrol, 9; number on special service, 1. A very considerable amount of mist and fog was experienced during the month, and gales on the 8th, 16th and 24th.