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← Timeline
Grand Fleet
Tag
(13)
1914
August
04
Admiral Jellicoe takes command of the Grand Fleet
On 4 August 1914 the main force of the Royal Navy was renamed the Grand Fleet, and Admiral Sir John Jellicoe became its commander.
October
17
Alarm at Scapa Flow
On 16–17 October 1914 an alarm over a supposed U-boat was raised at the Grand Fleet base, Scapa Flow. The fleet put to sea, though no submarine was ever found.
18
Grand Fleet leaves Scapa Flow
On 18 October 1914, fearing U-boats, the Grand Fleet began moving from Scapa Flow to Lough Swilly in Ireland and Loch na Keal on the island of Mull.
27
Sinking of HMS Audacious
On 27 October 1914 the modern British battleship Audacious struck a mine off the north coast of Ireland and sank. The Admiralty kept it secret.
November
03
Grand Fleet returns to Scapa Flow
On 3 November 1914 the Admiralty ordered the Grand Fleet back to Scapa Flow from Ireland. The battleships arrived on 7–9 November, though the base had no booms.
1915
October
28
Wreck of the cruiser Argyll
On 28 October 1915 the British cruiser Argyll ran onto the Bell Rock at night in a storm, because the lighthouse was unlit. Destroyers saved the whole crew.
December
30
Explosion of the cruiser Natal
On 30 December 1915 the British cruiser Natal blew up in the Cromarty Firth. About 400 people died, including women and children visiting the ship.
1916
January
06
Sinking of the battleship King Edward VII
On 6 January 1916 the British battleship King Edward VII struck a mine laid by the raider Möwe off Cape Wrath and sank a few hours later.
1917
July
09
Explosion of the battleship Vanguard
Shortly before midnight on 9 July 1917 the British dreadnought Vanguard blew up in Scapa Flow. Of the 845 men aboard, only two survived.
December
07
American battleships join the Grand Fleet
On 7 December 1917 Rear Admiral Rodman's four American dreadnoughts entered Scapa Flow. They joined the Grand Fleet as the 6th Battle Squadron.
1918
November
05
Sinking of HMS Campania
On 5 November 1918 Campania, a former liner converted into a seaplane carrier, sank in the Firth of Forth. Torn from her anchorage, she rammed two warships.
15
The cruiser Königsberg in the Firth of Forth
On 15 November 1918 the cruiser Königsberg brought Rear-Admiral Meurer to the Firth of Forth to agree with Beatty how Germany would hand over its fleet.
21
Internment of the High Seas Fleet
On 21 November 1918 the Grand Fleet met the High Seas Fleet and escorted 70 German warships into the Firth of Forth, from where they went on to Scapa Flow.