Cromarty, as long as it is undefended by land and if undefended by ships, would be a good place of disembarkation for a large force, but they would be isolated in barren country with great natural difficulties between them and any real vulnerable point. Cromarty and the Invergordon oil tanks might, however, be the object of a minor raid in the ‘driblets’ phase, if undefended. Balta Sound, in the Shetlands, and those islands generally would be of the greatest value as a flotilla base to the Germans. Until they were expelled from them, which would be costly both in ships and men, all attempts to blockade the North Sea would be rendered futile. On the West Coast there are numerous undefended landing-places in sheltered waters suitable for the disembarkation of a large force (if it could get there). Oban, 60 miles away from the Clyde, deserves special attention. The mouth of the Clyde itself, which is lightly defended by land and has only three submarines at Lamlash, is suitable both for the landing of a large force and also for a raid on an arsenal. The same may be said of Barrow. This would seem to exhaust the principal serviceable landing-places which should be considered, but there may be others. W. S. C. _April 18, 1913._ NOTES BY THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (_Addressed to the First Sea Lord._) (MARGINAL NOTES BY FIRST SEA LORD.) A. The following assumptions appear to me, as at present advised, to be justified:— [Sidenote: Should like to limit this to two or three ports at most.] 1. That not more than 20,000 men could be collected and embarked in German North Sea Ports without our knowing it before the expedition actually sailed; but that up to that number might actually put to sea before we were warned. [Sidenote: 3_b_ answers this, otherwise the assumption is risky.] 2. That no military expedition of upwards of 10,000 men could reach the British coast before the general alarm was given. [Sidenote: (_b_) The latter should, I think, be assumed.] 3. That the intention of the German Government to attack us would either (_a_) be discovered or (_b_), more probably, formally declared while the expedition was in transit. [Sidenote: Yes.] 4. That, having regard to the time taken in transit, three to six hours’ warning would have been given throughout the country, along the coasts, and at all ports, and preparations advanced accordingly. [Sidenote: Yes.]