[2][3] After a period of service on transport ships he was assigned to the paddleship corvette Governolo, which left Naples to carry out a naval campaign and scientific expedition to Borneo, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and Japan.

[2] Twice deputy chief of staff on the Sicilia and Lepanto, Viale was later given command of the Umbria,[8][9] with which he undertook a tour of Central and South America from 1901-3 during which he was promoted to ship captain.

Viale's role was particularly important in Callao where the Umbria’s crew distinguished itself by putting out the fire of the English transport Bakunin, loaded with oil drums.

He was general director of the Military and Scientific Service at the Ministry of the Navy (March 1907-October 1908, January 1910-January 1911) and commander-in-chief of the 1st Maritime Department and of the naval division of La Spezia (March-September 1911).

During this period he also commanded the battleship Regina Elena (November 1908-October 1909),[12] providing aid to the people affected by the 1908 Messina earthquake, for which he obtained a gold medal.

[17] On 1 November 1913, after the war ended, he returned to command of the Maritime Department of La Spezia, where he remained in service until 7 May 1914, then once again presiding over the Superior Council of the Navy.

[2] As minister Viale continued the construction of the large Francesco Caracciolo-class battleships, but he also planned to dedicate more resources to destroyers and submarines, in line with the wishes of Thaon di Revel.

Viale and Thaon di Revel generally agreed on the need for Italy to conserve its forces, avoid unnecessary risks, and concentrate on defending coastal towns from Austro-Hungarian Navy bombardment.

Navy Chief of Staff Thaon di Revel, based in Rome, issued orders contradicting those of the fleet commander-in-chief, the Duke of Abruzzi.