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).