The Admiralty informed me on this date that Rear-Admiral Arthur Christian, with his Flag in the _Sapphire_, had been placed in command of all forces in the southern portion of the North Sea, namely, Cruiser force C, the destroyer and submarine flotillas. As already explained, these forces were acting under direct Admiralty orders and were independent of me, unless ordered to join my Flag. This organisation was dropped later on, after the loss of the _Cressy_, _Aboukir_ and _Hogue_, Cruiser force C being abolished, and the command of the destroyer and submarine forces reverting to their own senior officers. _August 19th, 21st, 22nd._--The Battle Fleet and 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron remained in harbour during the 19th, coaling, storing, cleaning boilers, and taking in additional ammunition up to a maximum storage. With the exception of the _Orion_, these ships left on the 20th at 6.30 P.M. for an area to the westward of the Orkneys and Shetlands, with orders to carry out target practice on the 21st. The battle cruiser _New Zealand_ was ordered to the Humber to join the _Invincible_. As Commodore Keyes reported on this date that our submarines in the Heligoland Bight were being followed and watched by German trawlers fitted with wireless, I informed the Admiralty that I proposed to treat such vessels as men of war. This was approved. The 2nd and 3rd Cruiser Squadrons were directed to work in Patrol Area 1 alternately, and to carry out target practice in the Cromarty Firth, _en route_ to the patrol area. The practice of the Battle Fleet on the 21st was interfered with by fog and the Fleet did not form up until late at night, and passed through the Fair Island Channel into the North Sea during the early morning of the 22nd. The Battle Fleet was joined off Fair Island by the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, was exercised in battle tactics during the day, and in the afternoon was joined by the 2nd Flotilla as a submarine screen in Lat. 59.50 N., Long. 1.30 E. The position of the _Iron Duke_ at midnight, 22nd–23rd, was Lat. 59.34 N., Long. 1.58 E., steering to southward. The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, which had been detained at Scapa by fog during the 21st, carried out target practice to the westward of the Orkneys on the 22nd, and then proceeded to a position in Lat. 59.15 N., Long. 1 E., in readiness to support cruisers of the 3rd Cruiser Squadron and the 6th Cruiser Squadron, now comprising the _Drake_ and _King Alfred_, which were ordered to work between Scotland and Norway in areas to the southward of the position named.