The refusal to put to sea at Invergordon

Repulse sailed at 06:30 on 15 September, showing that the assembled fleet was not uniformly immobilized. Crews on Hood and Nelson continued routine harbour work but refused to put to sea, while Valiant and Rodney limited themselves to essential duties such as safety patrols and fire guards. Valiant found enough sailors to unmoor but abandoned the attempt to sail when too few would take part. On Rodney, sailors gathered around a piano and sang, while loudspeaker threats from some officers drew jokes rather than compliance. On Valiant and Rodney, sailors insisted that directions come through NCOs so that their refusal would not involve directly disobeying an officer's order. Royal Marines also joined because they faced the same pay cuts. Rear Admiral Tomkinson suspended the exercise when Hood could not be unmoored, then requested an investigation into the complaints. Continued maintenance and safety work show how the protest tried to exert pressure while limiting escalation.