[3] He entered the Royal Navy and in December 1860 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, taking part in the campaign in southern Italy of 1860-1861 and distinguishing himself in the sieges of Gaeta and Messina, earning a silver medal for military valor.

He then participated in an educational cruise for officer candidates to South America, under the command of Admiral Simone Antonio Saint-Bon, aboard the frigate Principe Umberto in 1865-1866.

They returned to Italy in time to take part in the battle of Lissa, where Palumbo distinguished himself in the rescue of the shipwrecked sailors from the Re d'Italia.

[3][4] In 1882 he obtained command of the propeller-driven corvette Vettor Pisani with which he undertook a voyage to circumnavigate the globe lasting three years, being promoted to captain in 1883.

In 1903 he made a diplomatic voyage to Istanbul on board the Agordat, together with eight other officials, to present gifts from king Victor Emmanuel III to sultan Abdul Hamid II.