In addition to the maintenance of the blockade by the 10th Cruiser Squadron, cruiser and light cruiser squadrons carried out various patrol and search operations during the month. The 3rd Cruiser Squadron cruised in the centre portion of the North Sea from February 1st to 3rd; the 2nd Cruiser Squadron cruised off the Shetland Islands from the 11th–13th, then swept down the Norwegian coast and returned to Cromarty on the 15th; the new 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron carried out a sweep in the southern portion of the North Sea between the 16th and 20th with destroyers in company; the new 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron cruised to the westward of the Shetlands for exercise between the 15th and 18th, then passed into the North Sea and swept to the southward, returning to Scapa on the 20th; the 1st Cruiser Squadron left Scapa on the 17th for the vicinity of the Norwegian coast, swept down towards the Naze and then returned to patrol north of the Shetlands until the 21st, when the squadron arrived at Scapa; the four light cruisers attached to the Battle Fleet, Bellona, Blanche, Boadicea, and Blonde, with four destroyers, left Scapa on the 18th for a line N. 37 E. 60 miles long from Lat. 57.30 N., Long. 0.30 W., with directions to sweep towards the Naze by day and patrol the line at night; they remained on this duty until the 21st. The 7th Cruiser Squadron cruised to the westward of the Fair Island Channel from the 19th to the 22nd, and available destroyers of the 2nd and 4th Flotillas were patrolling to the eastward of the Fair Island Channel and the Moray Firth respectively during the same period.
The 3rd Cruiser Squadron, with four destroyers, left Rosyth on the 23rd to cover the Fleet mine-sweepers whilst searching for mines along a projected Fleet track in the North Sea, but, the sea being too heavy for mine-sweeping, the squadron carried out a patrol instead until the 25th, when the mine-sweeping operations took place, lasting until the 27th, when the squadron returned to Rosyth.
This searching mine-sweep was carried out because of the increasing probability of the enemy laying mines intended to catch our heavy ships when proceeding towards the southern portion of the North Sea, and the consequent necessity for a periodical examination of a route which the Fleet could traverse with some safety. This policy was maintained throughout the period of my command, alternative routes being periodically examined; although it was obviously impossible to carry out this examination frequently, it did afford some chance of a mine-field being discovered before serious losses were sustained by the Fleet.
During the month of February a reorganisation of the battle cruiser and light cruiser squadrons was carried out by Admiralty orders, and a “Battle Cruiser Fleet” instituted under the command of Sir David Beatty, with the title Vice-Admiral Commanding the Battle Cruiser Fleet.
The organisation was as follows:
Lion, Fleet-Flagship.
1st Battle Cruiser Squadron:
Princess Royal (Flag of Rear-Admiral O. de B. Brock), Queen Mary, Tiger.
2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron:
Australia (Flag of Rear-Admiral W. C. Pakenham), New Zealand, Indefatigable.
3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron:
Invincible (to be Flag), Inflexible,[D] Indomitable.
1st Light Cruiser Squadron:
Galatea (Broad pennant of Commodore E. S. Alexander-Sinclair), Cordelia, Caroline, Inconstant.