The weather at Scapa was very misty. Fog or mist was experienced on the 3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 31st. There were no gales.
On August 3rd the large floating-dock from the Medway, which had been towed to the Tyne, was reported as ready for use.
On the 29th the old light cruiser Brilliant arrived at Lerwick to act as guard and depot ship at that base, which was being developed as a secondary examination base for vessels sent in by the 10th Cruiser Squadron.
An extended patrol to the south-eastward of the Pentland Firth during the month was maintained by three armed boarding steamers and three destroyers.
The principal events of September, 1915, may perhaps be given most conveniently and briefly in diary form:
On September 1st eight destroyers, fitted for mine-sweeping, swept the waters to the westward of the Pentland Firth. This was the first occasion on which destroyers were used for this purpose.
September 1st and 2nd.—The Black Prince and four light cruisers, with six destroyers, carried out a sweep to the eastward from Scapa.
September 2nd–5th.—The Dreadnought Battle Fleet, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Cruiser Squadrons, and the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron were cruising in northern waters. Destroyers screened the Fleet out and back, but did not remain with it during the cruise, being kept at the base, ready fuelled, in case it became necessary to move to the southward. Battle exercises and night-firing were carried out during the cruise, as opportunity offered. The battleship Superb reported sighting the periscope of a submarine.
On September 2nd the Fleet was visited by five French gentlemen of eminence, and a representative of the United States Press. This was the first visit paid to the Grand Fleet base by anyone not immediately connected with the Service, and we were flattered that the occasion should have brought to Scapa Flow representatives of our gallant Allies from across the Channel. The Fleet left immediately after the visit, and an opportunity was afforded our visitors of seeing the ships leave harbour.
September 4th.—Another mine-sweeping sloop, the Dahlia, Lieutenant G. Parsons, R.N., struck a mine in the Moray Firth mine-field during sweeping operations. She was very badly damaged; Lieut. Parsons himself was severely injured. The ship reached Invergordon with the loss of three killed and one missing. She was subsequently repaired.