 The squadron was briefly deployed at the beginning of the war to blockade the northern exit from the North Sea.In October 1914, under the command of Aubrey Smith, the ship was used to carry Russian bullion worth eight million pounds to Britain; on arrival, "Drake" lay thirty miles off Archangel, and the gold was brought to her at night.The ship was refitted in October 1915 and then transferred to the North America and West Indies Station for convoy escort duties.