[3] Attached to the cruiser division, she visited Larnaka in June 1902,[4] and took part in combined manoeuvres between the Mediterranean and Channel fleets in the Aegean Sea and off Argostoli in September and October that year.

For the purpose of attacking the mole, the Vindictive was fitted with supplementary armament of three howitzers, an 11-inch on the quarterdeck, a 7.5-inch on the forecastle, with a second 7.5 on the superstructure abaft the third funnel.

[6] Access to the mole for the storming parties was gained by hinged "brows" (i.e. gangways) 30 feet long.

Ten brows were slung from poles, while eight more, made to collapse in the middle for convenient stowage, were carried further aft on the skid beam deck, to be held in reserve.

[2] The ship’s port side was protected from collision with the mole by bundles of hazel-rod fenders.

The heavy warps for securing them are shown coiled on the upper deck on the starboard side.

[8] In addition to her usual complement, she embarked Royal Marine gunners to man the supplementary armament, and a larger raiding party.