 The two ships served with the High Seas Fleet after entering service, with only one in the fleet at a time, usually trading service with the fleet either for refits or mine warfare training.After the start of World War I, the ships laid several minefields, both to protect the German coast and also to interfere with British naval operations.In 1915, "Albatross" was transferred to the Baltic Sea to operate against the Russian Baltic Fleet, where she was eventually ambushed by Russian cruisers and forced to beach in the Battle of Åland Islands in July.