The Germans, in creating their Fleet, followed generally the British lead. In this book reference is made to the general efficiency of the German Navy and of the good design and fine equipment of their ships. These points were never questioned by British naval officers, and the shameful surrender of the host of the German ships in 1918 did not alter the opinions previously formed. That surrender was the result of broken moral. More than a hundred years after the Battle of Trafalgar, and after a century of controversy, the Admiralty considered it desirable to appoint a committee to decide whether that action was fought in accordance with the original intentions of the Commander-in-Chief, as embodied in his famous Memorandum. It is hoped that the facts recorded in this book, and the comments accompanying them, constitute a clear statement of the making of the Grand Fleet and the manner in which it endeavoured, whilst under my command, to fulfil its mission. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I THE OPENING OF THE WAR 1 II GENERAL NAVAL STRATEGY IN HOME WATERS 12 III THE GRAND FLEET AND ITS BASES 34 IV DECLARATION OF WAR 88 V THE SUBMARINE AND MINE MENACE IN THE NORTH SEA 115 VI INCIDENTS AT SEA--NOVEMBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1914 155 VII THE DOGGER BANK ACTION 187 VIII GERMAN MINES AND SUBMARINES 221 IX CONTROLLING THE NORTH SEA 249 X ATTEMPTS TO ENTICE THE ENEMY TO ACTION 264 XI THE NAVAL SITUATION IN MAY, 1916 300 XII THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND 304 XIII THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND (_continued_) 341 XIV THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND (_continued_) 370 XV REFLECTIONS ON THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND 390 XVI THE LESSONS OF EXPERIENCE; LORD KITCHENER’S FAREWELL 415 XVII THE SUBMARINE PERIL TO MERCHANT SHIPPING; RECALL TO THE ADMIRALTY 445 APPENDIX I 463 APPENDIX II 490 ILLUSTRATIONS ADMIRAL VISCOUNT JELLICOE, OF SCAPA, G. C. B., O. M., G. C. V. O. _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE DESTROYERS RAISING STEAM ON THE FIRST OCCASION OF A SUBMARINE BEING REPORTED INSIDE SCAPA FLOW 28