After the war, the ship's career was uneventful, the result of the emergence of more modern ironclads and a severe reduction in the Italian naval budget following their defeat at Lissa.

Persano claimed he was simply waiting on the ironclad ram Affondatore, en route from Britain, but his inaction weakened morale in the fleet, with many of his subordinates openly accusing him of cowardice.

[3] Rear Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff brought the Austrian fleet to Ancona on 27 June in an attempt to draw out the Italians.

San Martino was one of the few ironclads fit for action, so she, Castelfidardo, Regina Maria Pia, and Principe di Carignano formed up to prepare to attack Tegetthoff's ships.

Persano held a council of war aboard Principe di Carignano to determine whether he should sortie to engage Tegetthoff, but by that time, the Austrians had withdrawn, making the decision moot.

The Minister of the Navy, Agostino Depretis, urged Persano to act and suggested the island of Lissa, to restore Italian confidence after their defeat at the Battle of Custoza the previous month.

[5] At that time, San Martino was assigned to the 2nd Division, under Persano, along with the ironclad Re d'Italia and the coastal defense ship Palestro.

The next morning, Persano ordered another attack; four ironclads would force the harbor defenses at Vis while San Martino and the rest of the fleet would attempt to suppress the outer fortifications.

Shortly before the action began, Persano decided to leave his flagship and transfer to Affondatore, though none of his subordinates on the other ships were aware of the change.

Tegetthoff immediately ordered his crew to lower boats to pick up the men in the water, but with San Martino fast approaching, he could not leave his ship a stationary target.

[9] During the battle, San Martino collided with Regina Maria Pia and had her ram bow twisted, causing leaks in her hull.

After the battle, Vacca replaced Persano; he was ordered to attack the main Austrian naval base at Pola, but the war ended before the operation could be carried out.

[10] For the rest of her long career, San Martino served in a variety of roles, both in the main fleet and in Italy's colonial empire.

[1] By October 1871, the ship was stationed in La Spezia, along with her sisters Regina Maria Pia and Castelfidardo, Affondatore, and the new ironclad Roma.

[14] On 10 June 1887, the annual fleet maneuvers began; San Martino was assigned to the "attacking squadron", along with the ironclads Ancona and Duilio, the protected cruiser Giovanni Bausan, and several smaller vessels.

The first half of the maneuvers tested the ability to attack and defend the Strait of Messina, and concluded in time for a fleet review by King Umberto I on the 21st.