After blockading the Adriatic for a short while the French were forced to withdraw due to a lack of supplies.

When war broke out between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Montenegro, the Austro-Hungarians began a blockade of the Montenegrin coast as well as several bombardments of various towns including the port of Antivari (today Bar), where the protected cruiser SMS Zenta and destroyer SMS Ulan were stationed.

The Allied Fleet managed to cut off Zenta from the main Austro-Hungarian naval base at Cattaro.

Badly outnumbered, Zenta's commander, Captain Paul Pachner, decided to fight to allow Ulan to escape.

[1] Unaware of the situation outside Antivari until it was virtually over, that part of the Austro-Hungarian fleet stationed at Cattaro did not sortie to give battle as the French had hoped.