SCAPA AND A CAMERA
First published in 1921.
(Extract from His Majesty the King's message to his Navy at the outbreak of war.)
SCAPA
AND A CAMERA
PICTORIAL IMPRESSIONS OF FIVE YEARS SPENT
AT THE GRAND FLEET BASE.
BY
C. W. BURROWS
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
VICE-ADMIRAL F. S. MILLER, C.B.
REAR-ADMIRAL SCAPA FLOW, 1914-1916
LONDON
PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICES OF COUNTRY LIFE, LTD.,
20, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 2, AND BY
GEORGE NEWNES, LTD., 8-11, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. 2
NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
MCMXXI
DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION)
TO
ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET EARL BEATTY, O.M., G.C.B.,
AND THE
OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE GRAND FLEET
AND AUXILIARIES
PREFACE
The Author desires to express his indebtedness to the undermentioned, who, by the loan of photographs or in other ways, have assisted in the production of this book:
O. Baird, Esq., Admiralty.
P. Goodyear, Esq., Senior Constructor, Admiralty.
Lieut.-Commander N. A. K. Money, R.N., O.B.E., Admiralty.
Paymaster-Lieut. Humphrey Joel, R.N.R., H.M.S. "Excellent."
T. Kent, Esq., Kirkwall.
A. H. Dominey, Esq., late Junior Army and Navy Stores, Ltd., S.S. "Borodino."
Jas. Mackintosh, Esq., Kirkwall.
INTRODUCTION
It was my privilege to be in administrative charge of the Naval Base at Scapa from August, 1914, to May, 1916, until relieved by Rear-Admiral Prendergast.
The Author, Mr. C. W. Burrows, assumed duty as Cashier of the Dockyard Section at the Base in May, 1915, and was so employed until March, 1920, and thus had a long and intimate knowledge of local doings and surroundings.
He has compiled a unique and profusely illustrated book, which should prove of surpassing interest, not only to those who only know of Scapa by hearsay, but particularly to the thousands of officers and men of the Naval, Marine, and Civil Services of the Crown, the Mercantile Marine, and others who were employed in and near Scapa Flow. To the latter it will serve as a remembrance of the incidents, many joyous and some sad and tragic, associated with their sojourn in the northern mists which shrouded Scapa from the public eye. Part IV., dealing with the German ships at Scapa Flow, their dramatic sinking on 21st June, 1919, and the subsequent salvage operations of several of them, is an exceptionally fine pictorial record.
Owing to the lack of facilities, practically the whole of the Base Establishment had to be accommodated afloat, and until the arrival of H.M.S. "Victorious" in March, 1916, as accommodation ship and workshop for the Dockyard Staff and workmen, the officers and men experienced considerable discomfort. The men usually found quarters on board the ships upon which they were working, and, owing to the shortness of notice, they were frequently taken to sea.
A very marked feature throughout the war was the spirit of loyalty, good comradeship, and emulation which evinced itself among all ranks, ratings, and grades, whether on duty or in recreations. It was this spirit that lightened the discomforts and difficulties which necessarily occurred, maintained the Grand Fleet and Base in a healthy state of efficiency, and brought about the breakdown of the German morale, resulting in the ignominious surrender of the German ships in November, 1918, and their ultimate transfer to Scapa Flow.
The Author is to be congratulated in providing such a delightful souvenir of the Great War.
F. S. MILLER.