Strong destroyer patrols were despatched from Scapa and Rosyth to prevent mine-laying off the bases, and one Battle Cruiser Squadron was put at short notice for steam. No enemy vessels were sighted, and the _Donegal_ eventually proceeded to the White Sea, being accompanied by the _Minotaur_ as far as the North Cape. On November 19th three submarines proceeded from Harwich to the Kattegat to obtain information relative to the presence of any enemy vessels. On November 23rd the _Warspite_ rejoined the 5th Battle Squadron, after having been for some weeks under repair in the Tyne, owing to injuries sustained through grounding in the Firth of Forth. On November 28th the Battle Cruiser Fleet left Rosyth for a cruise in the northern portion of the North Sea, during which cruiser exercises and gunnery practices were carried out; the squadron returned to Rosyth on December 2nd. From November 22nd to December 7th, the _Donegal_ and _Hampshire_ were protecting the White Sea trade, working on the trade route and coaling at Alexandrovsk. During the month independent squadron exercise cruises from the bases were continued, as was target practice from Cromarty. The figures for the 10th Cruiser Squadron gave as a weekly average: Ships intercepted, 30; sent in, 9; number on patrol, 10; absent at ports or _en route_, 9; on special service, 3. The bad weather experienced during the month interfered considerably with the boarding operations of the squadron and also hampered Fleet movements. On December 1st the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Battle Squadrons, the 1st and 2nd Cruiser Squadrons, the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron, and the _Minotaur_ of the 7th Cruiser Squadron, proceeded to the westward for a cruise. Battle exercises were carried out on the 2nd and 3rd, and the Fleet returned to Scapa and Cromarty on December 4th. The exercises were specially intended to represent the conditions that might arise if the High Sea Fleet tried to draw the Grand Fleet over areas in which mines had been laid or in which submarines were operating. During the exercises the _Barham_ and _Warspite_ of the 5th Battle Squadron collided, both being considerably damaged. They were escorted to Scapa for temporary repairs and left later, the _Barham_ for Invergordon and the _Warspite_ for Devonport. On December 8th the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron left Rosyth, swept to the eastward to the Little Fisher Bank, and returned on the 10th. From the 11th to the 13th two ships of the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron were cruising to the eastward of the Fair Island Channel.