As the Great War began, the Royal Navy rushed to Scotland and Orkney's great natural harbor, Scapa Flow. Historian David Hayman uncovers the compelling characters involved in this little-known naval war, including the cautious Admiral Jellicoe and the playboy Admiral Beatty. This is the story of great technologies and epic battles for ultimate control of the North Sea and the wider war itself.

In April 1917, German U-Boats were sinking a dozen British ships every day. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Jellicoe, warned that Britain might not be able to carry on fighting into 1918 and World War I could be lost. Historian David Hayman explores Germany's U-Boat threat and the fascinating and dastardly ploys Britain used to sink the submarines and turn the tide of the Great War.