By 1915 it was realised that the First World War would not be a short one, and that blockade would therefore form a vital role in Britain’s strategy for victory. The Tenth Cruiser Squadron, which formed the Northern Patrol, had the crucial task of denying enemy trade the use of the seas above Great Britain. Its original cruisers, the 1889-90 Edgars, were not only vulnerable to enemy attack, but also had been designed for calmer waters and could not cope with the North Atlantic. The first extract, from the journal of Commander Harold T. Bowen, vividly describes the problem.
Armed merchant cruisers, such as the White Star Line’s Teutonic, replaced the Edgars. Whilst in many ways an improvement, several proposed vessels were discounted or later paid off for their instability or vulnerability to torpedo or mine. Having moved his flag from Crescent to Alsatian, a former liner of the Allan Line, Rear-Admiral Dudley de Chair sought to implement the Order-in-Council of 11 March 1915. Cargoes to and from Germany were to be confiscated, which required rigorous examination of ships. This was difficult enough in the best of times, with neutrals including the United States of America needing delicate treatment for diplomatic reasons. In the height of winter, however, this task became virtually impossible. It is amusing to see how even the nationality of fish was questioned!
Report of Proceedings 6-31 December 1915, Rear Admiral de Chair to Admiralty, HMS Alsation, 31 December 1915.Sunday, 19th December – The disposition of the Squadron was as follows:A Patrol … Cedric, Almanzora
C Patrol … Motagua, Teutonic, Victorian, Hildebrand, Hilary, Virginian.
F Patrol … Andes.
G Patrol … Alcantara, Ebro, Armed Trawlers Saxon, Walpole, Rushcoe.
Rejoining patrol from Liverpool … Alsatian.
Coaling at Liverpool … Orcoma.
Coaling in Clyde … Patia, Patuca.
Coaling at Swarbacks Minn … Otway, Orotava, Columbella.
Proceeding to Clyde … Mantua.
Proceeding to Swarbacks Minn … Changuinola.
At Lerwick … Armed Trawlers Tenby Castle, Arley, Robert Smith.
On special service … Arlanza.
Of 57 Vessels intercepted and examined during the week, 22 were sent into port with, and one without Armed Guards. Exceptionally fine and clear weather was experienced.
Monday, 20th December – Hilary having developed defect in her Tail Shaft, due to engines racing in heavy sea, was sent to the Clyde for repairs and to complete with coal. Almanzora reported fresh water service pipes frozen and burst. The necessary stores for repair were ordered to be supplied by Cedric. A submarine was reported five miles SE of St Kilda, steering SW at ten knots on the surface.
Tuesday, 21st December – Otway intercepted the Norwegian Barque Skomvaer, Buenos Aires to Flekkefjord with Quebrache. She was sent to Kirkwall with an Armed Guard … Almanzora intercepted the American Steamer A.A. Raven, New York to Archangel with military and medical stores. She was directed to call at Alexandrovsk.
Wednesday, 22nd December – Alcantara intercepted the Swedish steamer Urna, New York to Goteborg with general cargo. Seventeen of the crew had been shipped in New York. She was sent to Lerwick with an Armed Guard …The Glass fell rapidly, and the Southeasterly Gale increasing accompanied by heavy sea made boarding difficult, and in many cases impossible. Ships on patrol were obliged to heave to and could not make headway.
Thursday, 23rd December – Otway captured the Swedish steamer Carolina, New York to Gothenburg with Hides, Copper and general cargo. She was sent to Kirkwall with an Armed Guard … Patuca intercepted Norwegian steamer Frotz Smith with Oil-cake and Cotton-seed. She was sent to Lerwick with an Armed Guard. In both these cases great difficulty was experienced in boarding – Wind SE Force 8 – Heavy squalls of snow and hail. Met Almanzora in Lat. 62.47´N, Long. 6 W, and I personally visited her to see if the extent of the damage done to her fresh water service by frost necessitated her leaving patrol for repair. I found the pipes had burst in several places, icicles hanging from them; but considered temporary repairs could be effected.
Friday, 24th December – Ebro on G Patrol intercepted the Norwegian steamer Bergensfjord West bound with thirty bags of Parcel Mails duly certified as not being of enemy origin as laid down in C.I.O. 1316. She had 243 passengers including one German (male) aged 48; and her cargo, which was chiefly fish, was also certified as of neutral origin. Ebro was directed to remove the German passenger and allow the ship to proceed. The weather in A and C Patrol areas improved but boarding was still difficult, and in some cases impracticable.