Although she was already overtaken by newer designs, Lord Nelson remained useful enough to serve in the Home Fleet until war began. Assigned as Channel Fleet flagship, she helped cover the British Expeditionary Force's crossing to France. The dreadnoughts could therefore concentrate with the Grand Fleet for distant blockade and counter-fleet work against Germany's High Seas Fleet. Lord Nelson and the other older battleships accepted the possibility of buying time with their own lives if German heavy units threatened the troop movement.
Chapter · 29:14-31:11
Channel Fleet cover for the British Expeditionary Force
In 1914 Lord Nelson led the Channel Fleet's protection of troop movements across the English Channel while dreadnoughts concentrated with the Grand Fleet.