On 7 July 1940, a 25-ship fleet departed Alexandria, intending to meet a convoy east of Malta. The next day, a submarine sighted an Italian fleet away; the Allied fleet altered course to intercept. The two fleets sighted each other at 15.00 on 9 July 1940, and a battle that became known as the Battle of Calabria began. Four vessels of the RAN took part in the battle; HMA Ships "Sydney", , , and "Voyager". "Sydney" was the first RAN vessel to engage the enemy, and at 15.20 opened fire on an Italian cruiser. When the Italian fleet began to withdraw, the Allied destroyer squadron was ordered forward. "Stuart", leading the destroyer force, was the first to open fire; her opening salvo was a direct hit at a range of . Both fleets retired, with the Italians withdrawing under smoke, but Italian aircraft continued to attack Allied ships. "Sydney", which came under heavy air attack, was believed to have sunk. The fleet arrived back in Alexandria on 13 July.