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.
