His Majesty the King honoured the Grand Fleet with a visit on the 14th, arriving at Scapa from Thurso in the Oak, at 5 P.M., being escorted by the destroyers of the 11th Flotilla. After steaming round the Fleet in the Oak, His Majesty proceeded on board the Iron Duke, where he spent the night. On the following day the King visited all the flagships, on board of which a large percentage of officers and men from the various squadrons were assembled, and left for Thurso in the Oak at 5 P.M., proceeded to Invergordon, and thence to Rosyth, honouring the squadrons at each of these bases with a visit.
His Majesty addressed a representative gathering of officers and men from the ships at Scapa, who had been assembled on board the Iron Duke on the morning of the 15th in the following terms:—
“Sir John Jellicoe, officers, and men of the Grand Fleet, you have waited for nearly two years with most exemplary patience for the opportunity of meeting and engaging the enemy’s fleet.
“I can well understand how trying has been this period, and how great must have been the relief when you knew on May 31st that the enemy had been sighted.
“Unfavourable weather conditions and approaching darkness prevented that complete result which you all expected, but you did all that was possible in the circumstances. You drove the enemy into his harbours, and inflicted on him very severe losses, and you added yet another page to the glorious traditions of the British Navy.
“You could not do more, and for your splendid work I thank you.”
The average weekly report of the 10th Cruiser Squadron during June, gave as the figures:—
No. of ships intercepted, 55 and 22 trawlers; No. sent in, 20; No. on patrol, 13; No. absent at ports or en route to a given patrol, 8; No. on special service, 1.
A great deal of fog and mist was experienced during the month—especially in the latter half—and this interfered somewhat with the work of the 10th Cruiser Squadron. A very dense fog prevailed in the Pentland Firth on June 22nd and 23rd. Strong winds, principally from the northward, were prevalent during the first portion of the month, and a northerly gale occurred on the 5th.
No large Fleet movements took place during June, as it was known that the greater part of the High Sea Fleet was under repair as the result of the Jutland action.