That was the position then, when, on May 30, 1916, the Grand Fleet left its harbours--a fleet that covered when cruising, and this must always be remembered in considering the events that followed, {170} an area somewhat larger than the County of London. It was a lovely afternoon of almost summer warmth, with a clear sky ashore and a promise of settled weather; and, as usual, the Fleet put to sea in two main divisions. Of these the southernmost and faster, consisting of the First and Second Battle-Cruiser Squadrons, had left the Firth of Forth under Vice-Admiral Beatty--the former being composed of the four famous "Cats," as they had been christened, the _Lion_, the _Tiger_, the _Princess Royal_, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral O. de B. Brock, and the _Queen Mary_; and the latter containing the _New Zealand_, under Rear-Admiral W. C. Pakenham, and the _Indefatigible_. Besides these, Admiral Beatty had four of the latest battleships of the _Queen Elizabeth_ class--the _Barham_, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Evan-Thomas, the _Valiant_, _Warspite_, and _Malaya_. With him were also the First, Second, and Third Light Cruiser Squadrons and the First, Ninth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Destroyer Flotillas. Under Admiral Jellicoe to the north there had issued out from Scapa Flow the main body of British sea strength--Admiral Jellicoe's flagship, the _Iron Duke_, sailing with the Fourth Battle Squadron, and the other divisions of the Fleet being under the command of Vice-Admirals Sir Cecil Burney, second-in-command, Sir Thomas Jerram, and Sir Doveton Sturdee, and Rear-Admirals Alexander Duff, Arthur Leveson, and Ernest Gaunt.