During World War I the ship was assigned to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet, but did not participate in any battles. Natal was sunk by an internal explosion near Cromarty on 30 December 1915 with the loss of at least 390 crewmen and civilians.
During World War I, the ship was assigned to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron as part of the Grand Fleet, but it did not see any action. Tragically, Natal met its end on December 30, 1915, when an internal explosion occurred near Cromarty, resulting in a loss of at least 390 lives.