 The squadron was composed mainly of five of the six armoured cruisers, which had been transferred from the 6th Cruiser Squadron of the former divisional structure of the Home Fleets, and already considered obsolescent despite being fewer than 12 years old.Their status meant that most of the time they were manned by "nucleus crews" an innovation introduced by Admiral John "Jackie" Fisher a few years earlier.Their ships' complements of 700 men plus officers were only brought up to full strength for manœuvres or mobilisation.