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[Page 99]
1915.
took the opportunity of carrying out target practice, this operation taking about 3 hours. The day previous to reaching our destination, which we now learned was Queensferry, in the Firth of Forth, a supposed hostile submarine was sighted well astern, but as we were going at least 21 Knots, we were in comparative safety. The waters round the Shetlands were frequented by many trawlers employed by the Admiralty in the cheerless task of patrolling & mine-sweeping.
Feb. 17.
It was early morning when we arrived, & joined up with out sister battle-cruisers. We proceeded under the world-famous Forth Bridge, and moored about 2 miles further up. A boom defence had been rigged across the Firth at Inchkeith, & also a net defence slung from the Bridge, to prevent an attack by an enemy on our ships from the sea. Coaling was at once commenced. Here, right at the seat of war, we were having a better time than we had experienced hitherto. Shore leave was given each afternoon to officers from 12.45 p.m to 4.45 p.m., & men were taken for route marches & allowed 1 pint of beer. Each night torpedo nets were put out by each ship. Ashore, the Forth Bridge was rigidly guarded by numerous sentries, & picket boats patrolled the water approaches night & day. The