The Isles of Scilly, five inhabited islands 24 miles west of Land s End, were of low priority to the War Department when the First World War was declared. With no manufacturing capability, no industry other than flower growing and agriculture, no electricity or gas, no mains water supply, no wireless station, and a population of only 2,000, the islands did have one feature in their favor their location. Sitting at the cross roads of six major shipping routes, Scilly had been a recognized ship-park since 1300AD, where sailing ships anchored to safety awaiting a suitable wind, to re-victual,...