2nd Light Cruiser Squadron:
Southampton (Broad pennant of Commodore W. E. Goodenough), Nottingham, Birmingham, Lowestoft.
3rd Light Cruiser Squadron:
Falmouth (Flag of Rear-Admiral Trevelyan Napier), Yarmouth, Gloucester, Liverpool.
[D] The Inflexible had not yet joined by the end of February.
The Battle Cruiser Fleet remained an integral portion of the Grand Fleet. In some respects the term “Fleet” was an unfortunate selection, as it implied, incorrectly, an independent organisation. On my taking office as First Sea Lord at the end of 1916, the title was altered to the more appropriate one of Battle Cruiser Force.
The Australia joined the Battle Cruiser Fleet at Rosyth on February 17th, and the Invincible, having concluded the very successful operations in the South Atlantic under Sir Doveton Sturdee, which culminated in the destruction of Admiral von Spee’s Squadron of cruisers and light cruisers, arrived at Scapa for gunnery practices during the latter part of February, and joined the Battle Cruiser Fleet at Rosyth early in March; the Indefatigable also arrived on the 24th from the Mediterranean.
The Tiger arrived in the Tyne on February 1st for refit, and left again on the 8th. The Lion reached the Tyne for repairs on February 9th, remaining there for the remainder of the month. The strength of the destroyer force working with the Grand Fleet was increased on February 19th by the addition of the light cruiser Fearless and two divisions of destroyers from the 1st Flotilla. These vessels had been relieved at Harwich by new destroyers of the “M” class. This addition brought the destroyer force actually with the Grand Fleet up to a total of 48, and further additions were now gradually made from the 1st Flotilla at Harwich as new destroyers were completed to relieve them.
His Majesty the King honoured the Grand Fleet on February 27th by visiting the ships based on Rosyth.
In the course of February the destroyers of the “River” or “E” class, based at Scapa for local defence, were replaced, by Admiralty directions, by destroyers of the “C” class (old 30-knot type). This change, although dictated by the general naval situation, limited considerably the range of activity of the local defence vessels, owing to the poorer sea-going qualities of the destroyers of the “C” class.
During the month the destroyer Erne was wrecked off Rattray Head on the Aberdeen coast, and became a total loss; the Goldfinch went ashore in a fog in the north of the Orkneys and was also lost; the Sparrowhawk also went ashore, but was got off, though considerably damaged. The armed merchant-cruiser Clan McNaughton, of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, was lost with all hands during the month, the supposition being that she foundered in one of the numerous heavy gales. Although a prolonged search was carried out, only a certain amount of wreckage was found. The loss of this ship and her efficient ship’s company brought once more into prominence the excellent work of the 10th Cruiser Squadron and the risks to which the ships were subjected.
The activities of the 10th Cruiser Squadron were daily increasing, and the number of ships passing the blockade line unexamined was becoming very small. During one week in February sixty-seven vessels were intercepted and eighteen of them sent in with prize crews on board.