Almost immediately the _Roanoke_ was sent across ahead of the others, an inspection only 16 days after leaving the shipyard showing that her excellent condition warranted it. She was to help the _Baltimore_, already there, to finish laying the minefield in the North Irish Channel, described in a previous chapter, but though she arrived in good season and ready, through a change of plan the _Roanoke_ was not employed there, proceeding instead to Invergordon. [Illustration: ORGANIZATION OF THE MINE FORCE. Transcriber’s Note: The below is a transcription of the text printed in an org chart. The hierarchy is indicated by the level of indentation. For best results, view the HTML version, which contains the chart as an illustration. Commander Mine Force Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss, U.S.N. Headquarters Base 18 Inverness. Mine Squadron One Captain R.R. Belknap, U.S.N. Squadron Commander Minelayers U.S.S. San Francisco Flagship Captain H. V. Butler U.S.S. Aroostook Captain J. H. Tomb U.S.S. Baltimore Captain A. W. Marshall U.S.S. Canandaigua Captain W. H. Reynolds U.S.S. Canonicus Captain T. L. Johnson U.S.S. Housatonic Captain J. W. Greenslade U.S.S. Quinnebaug Commander D. P. Mannix U.S.S. Roanoke Captain C. D. Stearns U.S.S. Saranac Captain S. Gannon U.S.S. Shawmut Captain W. T. Cluverius Mine Sweepers Ontario † Lieutenant E. Delavy Patuxent Lieutenant J. B. Hupp Patapsco Lieutenant W. E. Benson Sonoma ‡ Lieutenant J. S. Trayer Staff Chief of Staff Captain H. V. Butler * Aid & Tactical Officer Commander B. L. Canaga Squadron Const. Officer Commander L. F. Kimball * Squadron Eng. Officer Lieut. Comm’dr F. R. Berg * Same, Later Lieutenant G. J. Blessing * Aide, Flag Secretary Lieut. Comm’dr E. S. R. Brandt Same, Later Ensign R. F. Hooper R.F. Squadron Radio Officer Lieutenant R. C. Starkey. Aid & Communication Officer Lieutenant (J.G.) R. L. White, R.F. Squadron Surgeon Commander (M.C.) G. C. Rhodes * Same, Later Lieutenant (M.C.) H. P. Stevens R.F. Squadron Supply Officer Lieutenant (P.C.) C. R. Eagle * Squadron Athletic Off. Lieut. Comm’dr G. W. Hewlett * Asst. Sqd. Const. Off. Lieutenant (C.C.) G. R. Arey * U.S.S. Blackhawk Force Flagship & Repair Ship Captain R. C. Bulmer Chief of Staff Captain R. R. Belknap * Senior Aid Captain O. G. Murfin *