Most of the Royal Navy's modern strength was stationed farther north for the expected North Sea war, while the Channel mine barrier was not yet in place. The immediate Channel force included roughly sixteen pre-dreadnought battleships backed by light, armored, and protected cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. Its battleship screen included Prince of Wales, Bulwark, Implacable, Irresistible, Formidable, London, Queen, and Venerable. Many supporting cruisers were being reactivated from reserve and were not the fleet's best units. Against the High Seas Fleet, this was a force for warning, attrition, and buying time rather than a likely victor.
Notable Point · 39:25-41:49
The Channel Fleet's pre-dreadnought screen
Britain's immediate stopping force was a patchwork of pre-dreadnoughts and reserve cruiser squadrons, suited to delaying the High Seas Fleet rather than defeating it.