At the start of the war in July 1914, ML had a fleet of fifteen ships. Most of the fleet continued to operate services to ports in eastern Canada and to USA including Baltimore, returning with war and other supplies. In August 1914, the "Manchester Miller" (1903) and "Manchester Civilian" (1913) were requisitioned as supply ships and sent with coal to the Falkland Islands to refuel the battlecruisers HMS "Inflexible" and HMS "Invincible". As the "Civilian" was coaling the cruisers, the German vessels approached and the British warships cast off immediately to engage them. In the battle that ensued Admiral Von Spee's armored cruisers, "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau", plus escorting cruisers were sunk. The "Civilian" was later equipped with minesweeping gear. She returned in 1916 carrying supplies and equipment from Canada to the troops in France.