On the 26th a submarine was reported inside Cromarty harbour, but Sir David Beatty, who was there with the battle cruisers, stated, after investigation, that he did not consider the report was true. Discussions took place with the Admiralty during the stay of the Fleet at Lough Swilly on the subject of trawlers for the patrol of the Minches and vicinity, and the requirements were given as thirty-six trawlers for this service, which was considered next in importance to the provision of an adequate patrol force of this nature for the waters in the vicinity of the bases at Scapa Flow and Cromarty. The stay of the Fleet at Lough Swilly was rendered memorable by the unfortunate loss of the _Audacious_, then one of our most modern battleships. Orders had been given to the 2nd Battle Squadron to carry out target practice against the two battle practice targets obtained from Lamlash, and the squadron left Loch-na-Keal on the evening of October 26th for a rendezvous in Lat. 55.45 N., Long. 8.30 W., at daylight on the 27th, where the targets which had left Lough Swilly in tow of two tugs, the _Plover_ and _Flying Condor_, escorted by the light cruiser _Liverpool_, were to be met. The squadron was in Lat. 55.34 N., Long. 8.30 W. at 9 A.M. on the 27th, preparing for the practice, when at that hour the _Audacious_ struck a mine whilst turning. The explosion resulted in the flooding of the port engine-room and partly flooding the centre engine-room. It was not clear at the time whether the ship had been mined or torpedoed. The _Monarch_ having reported sighting a submarine at 11 A.M., a precautionary signal was made to Sir George Warrender to keep the squadron clear of the _Audacious_. Meanwhile all available destroyers, tugs, trawlers and other small craft were sent from Lough Swilly and Loch-na-Keal to assist the _Audacious_ and to prevent the submarine (if one were present) from doing further damage; and the armed boarding steamer _Cambria_ escorted the collier _Thornhill_ (provided with towing hawsers) to the scene. The hospital-ship _Soudan_ was ordered out to give help to survivors in case the _Audacious_ sank or to the injured, and the _Liverpool_ was directed to stand by her, but to keep moving at high speed. The battleship _Exmouth_ was put at “short notice” ready to tow the _Audacious_ in if necessary. Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, commanding the 1st Battle Squadron, came on board the _Iron Duke_ to suggest that he should proceed to the scene to render any assistance, an offer of which I very gladly availed myself, as Sir George Warrender, in the 2nd Battle Squadron, could not close the ship whilst the danger of submarine attack existed.