In 1895, she unsuccessfully attempted to sink the American merchant ship Allianca off Cape Maisi, Cuba, under the suspicion that she was smuggling arms to the Cuban insurgents.

She was powered by one-shaft, horizontal compound, four-cylindrical boilers (normally containing 200–220 tonnes (220–240 short tons) of coal), which helped her reach a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h).

[6] In March 1895, Conde de Venadito was involved in an incident with the American merchant ship Allianca off Cape Maisí, Cuba.

The Spanish ship attempted to stop Allianca for search on suspicion of filibustering, or smuggling arms to the insurgents in Cuba.

[1] In the Spanish–American War Conde del Venadito was first recorded at the port of Santiago de Cuba on 20 April.

[9] On 10 June at 8:30 AM, the Conde de Venadito, Nueva España, Flecha, and the Yanéz Pinzon, appeared 1 km (0.62 mi) offshore, and soon fired at Battery No.