Places > Shetland's roll of honour and roll of service

276 SHETLAND IN THE GREAT WAR.
1917, when young and old, rich and poor, flocked to the hillsides and moors
of Shetland, and gathered a grand total of 2500 sacks. Special collections
again took place in August and September, 1918, when nearly 3000 very large
sacks were filled. In addition to these collective and organised efforts, individuals
and parties gathered moss during their spare time, and cleaned and dried it
before despatch to Aberdeen. The larger quantities were conveyed gratis over
land by motor-car owners and from the islands by steamship or launches, and the
whole was taken to Aberdeen freight free. The Shetland moss was described
as of the very finest and purest quality, and Mr Henry Mouat, Lerwick, who
organised the " Moss Days," received highly appreciative letters from the
Aberdeen Depot, together with the request that the gatherers should be specially
thanked for their labour of love.
The great strategic importance of Shetland had been recognised by the
Admiralty long before the War, and immediately on the outbreak of hostilities
the Islands were as far as possible utilised for service. The importance of
Shetland increased as the war developed, and it became one of the leading
advanced Naval Bases in the country. The general Base was at Lerwick,
but Svvaarbacks Minn was later made the northern Base ifor the 10th Cruiser
Squadron, and several adjacent bays and voes were used in connection with this
vast work. Subsequently a seaplane station was established at Catfirth, Nesting,
and a Kite Balloon Station at Gremista, Lerwick. Throughout the war a
powerful " eavesdropping " wireless station at Cunning sburgh was used, and
was the means of picking up most valuable information chiefly concerning the
movements of U-boats leaving and entering the North Sea.
In November, 1914, Lerwick was established as an examination port and
base for auxiliary patrol vessels, under Captain Startin, R.N.R., whose head-
quarters were on board the yacht Shemara. In March, 1915, Captain Startin
was relieved by Commander (afterwards Act.-Capt.) H. G. Alston, C.B. An
office was opened ashore in the north end of Lerwick Fish Mart, which, along
with the whole of Alexandra Wharf, was eventually commandeered by the
Admiralty. On 29th August, 191 5, H.M.S. Brilliant arrived at Lerwick, and
took over duty as guard and depot ship at the Base, but later, the Base was
officially known as " H.M.S. Ambitious." In September, 191 5, an examination
office was opened for the purpose of dealing with neutral ships sent in by the
10th Cruiser Squadron, and from July to September, 1916, 269 ships were
examined at Lerwick. In one year 150 suspects were removed from intercepted
vessels. March, 1917, saw the introduction of the great convoy system, and
during the succeeding ten months more merchant vessels of all nationalities
were brought to Lerwick than the total that had used it in its whole history as
a seaport. The merchant ships were convoyed from the East and West Coasts
of Scotland and England to Lerwick, and thence across the North Sea, and
vice versa, the escorting vessels being fast ocean-going destroyers and armed
trawlers. In less than one year 4500 vessels, of approximately 5,000,000 nett
tons, sailed in these convoys, and this tonnage was said to be greater than that
of any other port in the United Kingdom. Between October 18, 1917, and
January 10, 1918, a total of 4150 vessels (irrespective of local defence craft)
passed through the channels of the approaches to Lerwick, notwithstanding that
these channels were constantly menaced by hostile submarines and minelayers.
In the course of the war the flag of practically every maritime nation was seen
in Lerwick harbour, and from early in 191 7 until the end of 191 8 Lerwick
presented a scene of unprecedented activity. In the beginning of 191 8, by
which time the British Navy had got the upper hand of the U-boats, Lerwick
ceased to be a convoy port, and the Base was removed to the Firth of Forth.
In its place came into being the Northern Patrol Force under the command of
Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Tupper, K.C.B., C.V.O., and throughout the year
the harbour was also used as a Base for the North Russian operations, and was