during the year carried out many long distance reconnaissance and bombing operations over Constantinople and the vicinity.
_In the Red Sea_ Naval operations were carried out in conjunction with friendly Arabs, and the Arabian coast cleared of Turkish forces.
_In the White Sea_ during the latter part of 1917 the whole of the Naval work fell upon British Naval forces when the Russian ships, which had co-operated hitherto, had come under the influence of the political situation.

Our force in these waters consisted largely of trawlers engaged in minesweeping and escort work.

The latter duty imposed a very heavy strain on officers and men, involving as it did the safe conduct during the year of no fewer than one thousand ships carrying stores and munitions for the Russian military forces.
_In the Baltic_ the situation became very difficult owing first to the Russian revolution and, finally, to the Russian debacle.

Our force in these waters consisted of seven submarines.

It became evident at the beginning of October, 1917, that the Germans were intending to carry out some operations in the Baltic against Russia, and the question of affording assistance was at once considered by the Naval Staff.