Garibaldino was powered by two sets of triple expansion steam engines fed by three Thornycroft water-tube boilers, producing an estimated 6,000 indicated horsepower (4,474 kW) and driving two propeller shafts.

[6] By 30 September 1911, she was participating along with Coatit, Lanciere, the battleships Napoli and Roma, the armored cruisers Francesco Ferruccio, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Varese, and the destroyers Euro, Freccia, Ostro, and Strale in a blockade of Tripoli.

Opening fire at a range of 4,500 metres (4,900 yd), the Italians sank three of the gunboats and forced the other three to beach themselves to avoid sinking, their crews fleeing after reaching shore.

Sources are unclear as to whether Şipka sank or remained afloat during the events of 7–8 January, but agree that the Italians seized her as a prize, towed her to Massawa, and later took her to Italy, where she was incorporated into the Regia Marina as the gunboat Cunfuda.

At the time, Garibaldino, under the command of Capitano di fregata (Frigate Captain) De Grossi, was part of the 3rd Destroyer Squadron, based at Brindisi, which also included Artigliere, Bersagliere, Lanciere, and their sister ship Corrazziere.

[21] On 29 May 1915 Garibaldino, Artigliere, Bersagliere, and Lanciere bombarded the Adria Werke chemical plant in Monfalcone, a production site for poison gases, while Alpino, Corazziere, and their sister ship Pontiere provided support.

[21] On 23 February 1916, under the command of Capitano di fregata (Frigate Captain) Brescia, Garibaldino, Bersagliere, and Corazziere escorted 12 steamers and two tugs to Durrës (known to the Italians as Durazzo) on the coast of the Principality of Albania.

[21] In October 1916 Garibaldino, her sister ship Ascaro, the destroyers Borea and Nembo, and four torpedo boats provided protection and support to a landing force consisting of Francesco Ferruccio and the steamers Ausonia, Bulgaria, Choising, and Polcevera sent to occupy Sarandë (known to the Italians as Santi Quaranta) in Albania.