Beresford visited east-coast ports and received public honors while his fleet neglected exercises and war problems. He is also tentatively credited with helping select Grimsby fishing trawlers for minesweeping. Those trawlers later helped form the Royal Naval Patrol Service in the First World War. His possible role in their selection is a useful qualification to the criticism of his fleet command.
Chapter · 1:26:55-1:28:02
Grimsby trawlers and the future patrol service
Beresford may have helped select Grimsby trawlers for minesweeping during port visits that otherwise drew criticism for displacing fleet exercises.