The Royal Navy expected that the German fleet might remain behind its defences. British writers including Corbett, Fisher, and Richmond had already considered the fleet-in-being problem and ways to compel an enemy to accept battle. Fisher's preferred Baltic approach was not simply a charge by the whole Grand Fleet into confined waters. A British foothold and fast ships such as Courageous and Glorious could threaten Swedish supply convoys, pressure Denmark and the Baltic entrance, and make German inaction more costly. Blocking the Kiel Canal formed part of the same coercive logic, because Germany would then have stronger reasons to send forces and its fleet out to respond.
Chapter · 3:08-5:58
Fisher's Baltic scheme and forcing a fleet out
Fisher's Baltic concept illustrates how British planners hoped to threaten German interests and compel a fleet action on the open sea.