 Immediately after the battle, she was ordered to carry Lord Kitchener from Scapa Flow on a diplomatic mission to Russia via the port of Arkhangelsk.Due to the gale-force conditions, it was decided that "Hampshire" would sail through the Pentland Firth, then turn north along the western coast of the Orkney Islands.This course would provide a lee from the strong winds, allowing escorting destroyers to keep pace with her.