On the outbreak of the First World War "Gossamer" joined the newly established Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow in Orkney. In August 1914, the minesweepers attached to the Grand Fleet, including "Gossamer" were employed on carrying out daily sweeps of the Pentland Firth. In October 1914 "Gossamer" was based at Devonport. On 17 December 1914, "Gossamer" and the torpedo gunboats and were on passage from Lowestoft to Scapa Flow, when they were temporarily diverted to help to deal with a minefield laid off Scarborough during the Bombardment of Scarborough on 16 December.