Lord Fisher pressed for the adoption of the Offensive.
The Defensive attitude of the Fleet was bad for its morale, and was no real protection from enemy submarines.
The suggestion of seizing an island off the German coast was adjourned.
7th Meeting of War Council, January 8th, 1915.
Zeebrugge.
Asked whether the bombardment of Zeebrugge would materially lessen the risks to transports and other ships in the English Channel, Lord Fisher replied that he thought not. In his opinion the danger involved in the operation (in loss of ships) would outweigh the results.
8th Meeting of War Council, January 13th, 1915.
Zeebrugge.
Lord Fisher said that the Navy had not unlimited battleships to lose, and there would probably be losses in any attack on Zeebrugge. He objected to any attack on Zeebrugge without the co-operation of the Army along the coast.
The Dardanelles was mentioned, Mr. Churchill stating that he had exchanged telegrams with Admiral Carden as to the possibilities of a naval attack on the Dardanelles. He had taken this step because Lord Kitchener, in a letter to him, dated January 3rd, had urged instant naval action at the Dardanelles to relieve the pressure on the Grand Duke Nicholas in the Caucasus.