 Slava was held back during the initial stages of the German landings ( Operation Albion ) on Saaremaa ( Oesel ) Island guarding the mouth of the Gulf of Riga in October 1917 to defend Kassar Wiek ( Inlet ) , which separates the outer islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa ( Dagö ) . She intermittently fired at German torpedo boats as they fought Russian light forces in Kassar Wiek on 15 and 16 October , but scored no hits from her position near Kesselaid ( Schildau ) Island in Moon Sound Strait . On the morning of 17 October the Germans attempted to sweep the Russian mines placed at the southern entrance to Moon Sound Strait . Slava , the pre @-@ dreadnought Grazhdanin and the armored cruiser Bayan were ordered south to meet them by Vice Admiral Mikhail Bakhirev , opening fire on the minesweepers at 8 : 05 a.m. The dreadnoughts König and Kronprinz were to provide cover for the minesweepers , but Slava , sailing further south , opened fire on them at 8 : 12 at nearly her maximum range . Grazhdanin , whose turrets had not been modified for extra elevation , remained behind with Bayan and continued to engage the minesweepers . The German ships returned fire , but their shells fell short at a range of 20 @,@ 400 meters ( 22 @,@ 300 yd ) . Slava continued to fire on the Germans , but scored no hits , although some shells impacted only 50 meters ( 160 ft ) from König . The German ships were at a severe disadvantage as they were sailing in a narrow swept channel and could not maneuver , so they reversed course to get out of range . 
