She operated between New London and Newport; then visited New York from 15 July-3 October before getting underway for her winter port, Charleston, South Carolina.

After refueling at Key West from 2–7 May, Porter resumed blockade duty off Cap-Haïtien, Haiti keeping a watchful eye out for Cervera's squadron.

Porter returned to the blockade of the north coast of Hispaniola on 13–14 May, cruising off Samaná Bay, Santo Domingo and off Porto Plata, Haiti.

After a brief interval at Key West and Mobile from 18–25 May, she joined Commodore Schley's squadron off Santiago de Cuba from 1–11 June, where it had bottled up the elusive Spanish warships.

Porter acted as naval escort to the remains of Governor DeWitt Clinton in New York harbor on 29 May 1908 before returning to the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla at Norfolk on 1 July.

Porter recommissioned on 14 May 1909 at Charleston, South Carolina, Lt. Harold R. Stark in command, and was assigned to the 3rd Division, Atlantic Torpedo Flotilla.

Porter departed on 28 August for Hampton Roads and the Southern Drill Grounds, later joining the fleet at New York for the Hudson-Fulton Celebration from 1–10 October.