The additional longitudinal strength of the metal frames was designed to afford the opportunity to build in finer lines, and thus higher speeds.

The ships did not deliver this better performance, partly due to poor underwater design, and also were prone to oscillate in heavy weather.

[6] The ship was equipped with six cylindrical boilers feeding a compound engine consisting of two cylinders, working on low and high pressure respectively, rated at 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW).

Five were mounted to each side to provide a broadside, the remainder being fitted in pairs firing through embrasures at the ends of the ship.

[14] On 31 January 1878, the corvette was ready for service and was dispatched to join the North America and West Indies Station.

[17][18] The ships sailed via St Vincent, Cape Verde, where the corvette took on 120 long tons (120 t) of coal, and arrived at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands on 9 January.

However, the start of the First Boer War meant that the ship was dispatched back to Simon's Town, arriving 22 days later.

[19] The vessel took no part in the conflict but did contribute 21 shots of a 105 gun salute to mark the assassination of Alexander II of Russia.

The allure of the colony, and the opportunity that the gold rush then ensuing provided, meant that 30 sailors deserted during the time.

[20] The ships then sailed through Wusong, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Singapore, returning to Simon's Town and then to Gibraltar, arriving on 1 July 1881.

[28] Instead, a refit costing £39,833 was authorised, including updating the armament with 5 in (130 mm) BL guns, the vessel being recommissioned on 12 August 1886 to rejoin the North America and West Indies Station.