Grand Fleet Narrative of Events

8.0. a.m. Monday, 3rd August to 8.0. a.m. Tuesday, 4th August.

Battle Squadrons of Grand Fleet, First Battle-Cruiser Squadron, 5 Cruisers of Second & Third Cruiser Squadrons, "SOUTHAMPTON" and "BIRMINGHAM" at Scapa coaling and storing.

Coal available insufficient to fill all ships.

Provision ships from Deptford arrived early and discharged to ships as required.

12-Pdr. Batteries at entrance to harbour completed P.M. and handed over to local Territorial Artillery: - no searchlights available.

Arrangements made for 3 Cruisers (at anchor) to guard Holm Sound, and 1 each at Hoy and Holm Sounds: also for 6 Destroyers of 4th Flotilla (at Longhope) to patrol outside.

3.0. p.m. received telegram from Admiralty that 3 German Transports had been seen passing Strego Sound (Great Belt) about 5.0. p.m. 1st August: Admiralty ordered Cruisers to be sent to sea to guard Shetlands, and reinforce "FORWARD" and 4 Torpedo Boat Destroyers (which arrived Lerwick 8.0. PM).

6.0. p.m. Rear-Admiral, Third Cruiser Squadron with "ANTRIM", "ARGYLL", "DEVONSHIRE", "COCHRANE" and "ACHILLES" proceeded to sea, followed by First Battle-Cruiser Squadron: latter to cruise to Southward of Fair Island during the night, unless required to support Rear-Admiral, 3rd Cruiser Squadron. (The 3 Cruisers of 3rd Cruiser Squadron had to sail 20% short of coal owing to scarcity of colliers and coal). These Squadrons neither saw nor heard anything of German ships.

Battlefleet darkened and prepared for attack during night, but coaling and storing were proceeded with and all Dreadnoughts, 1 KING EDWARD VII ("COMMONWEALTH") and 2 attached Cruisers were completed by 6.0. a.m. Both Provision ships were also cleared.

4.0. a.m. received orders from Admiralty for Grand Fleet to proceed to sea to sweep East as far as 2° East, and then to send Cruisers on a wide sweep to Southward and South-Westward.

Sir John Jellicoe ordered to assume command of Grand Fleet in succession to Sir George Callaghan, who struck his flag at 8.30. a.m.

8.0. a.m. Tuesday, 4th, to 8.0. a.m. Wednesday, 5th August.

8.30. a.m. Grand Fleet left Scapa. "IRON DUKE", 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battle Squadrons, "SOUTHAMPTON", "BIRMINGHAM", "BOADICEA" and "BLONDE", 4th Flotilla.

Left "BELLONA" and "BLANCHE" behind coaling.

Rear-Admiral 2nd Cruiser Squadron with "SHANNON", "NATAL", "ROXBURGH", "NOTTINGHAM", "FALMOUTH" and "LIVERPOOL" and 2nd Flotilla left Rosyth for a rendezvous in Latitude 58°.40'N. Longitude 1°.30'E.

Vice-Admiral 1st Battle-Cruiser Squadron and 3rd Cruiser Squadron ordered to sweep area between Latitude 60°. and 61° N. Eastward from Shetlands as far as 2°.E, where they arrived at 4.0. p.m. and then changed direction to the South-eastward, continuing the sweep in that direction until at 5.0. a.m. they arrived on a line drawn S.W. from Haugosund, eastern ship being 20' from coast.

As, however, 3rd Cruiser Squadron were getting short of coal, "ANTRIM" and "ARGYLL" were ordered back to Scapa during the evening, leaving 4 Battle-Cruisers and 2 Cruisers to complete the sweep.

Rear-Admiral 2nd Cruiser Squadron with Cruisers and Flotillas swept Northeast on a broad front on his way to the rendezvous, and at 9.0. p.m. changed direction to E.S.E'd, continuing the sweep as far as 2½°.E. The 2nd Flotilla was ordered back to Rosyth at 8.30. p.m. to fuel.

Battlefleet cruised to Eastward all day until 3.0. a.m. 5th, when it turned 10 points, having then reached Longitude 2°.E. Third Battle Squadron was sent back to Scapa at 8.30. p.m. to coal as squadron had been obliged to leave 30% short.