Due to concerns that the draught of the newer battleships (which had proven to be considerably greater than designed)[7] would prevent their passage through the Suez Canal, the fleet separated after leaving Tangiers on November 3, 1904. The newer battleships and a few cruisers proceeded around the Cape of Good Hope under command of Admiral Rozhestvensky while the older battleships and lighter cruisers made their way through the Suez Canal under the command of Admiral von Felkerzam.