Armed with three 14 in (356 mm) torpedo tubes and six light guns, she was capable of a top speed of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph).

Saetta spent the first decade of her career serving in the main Italian fleet, where she conducted peacetime training exercises.

Later that year, the ship was present during a naval review held for the German Kaiser Wilhelm II during a visit to Italy.

[4] She took part in the annual fleet maneuvers in the Reserve Division, along with the ironclad Italia and Andrea Doria and the torpedo cruiser Urania.

[5] Saetta was stationed in La Spezia in the 1st Maritime Department, along with her sister ship Folgore in 1895,[6] though the latter had been badly damaged in a collision and was decommissioned.

[7] That year, the gunnery school also included the old ironclads Regina Maria Pia and Affondatore; Saetta was used only for target practice at sea.