At around 02:20 on 1 January 1915, "U-24" launched a torpedo at "Formidable", striking her on the starboard side abreast of the forward funnel. "Formidable"s commander, Captain Loxley, hoped to save the ship by bringing her close to shore; the other British ships were at that point unaware of what had happened, but after "Formidable" turned out of line, "Topaze" increased speed to determine what she was doing. By the time "Topaze" closed with "Formidable" twenty minutes later, the latter vessel had already taken on a list of 20 degrees to starboard, and Loxley had issued the order to abandon ship. Men attempting to save the vessel remained aboard and through counter-flooding reduced the list, though "Formidable" was by then very low in the water.