Departing Puget Sound on 21 November, Savannah and submarines, N-1, N-2, and N-5 called at several ports including San Pedro, California; Magdalena Bay and Acapulco, Mexico; before arriving at Balboa, Canal Zone, on 31 December 1917.

Transiting the Panama Canal, Savannah proceeded to Kingston, Jamaica; Key West, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and New London, Connecticut; eventually reaching the Boston Navy Yard for an extensive overhaul and conversion on 13 February 1918.

Standing out of Boston harbor on 1 August 1918, Savannah made for Newport, Rhode Island, to rejoin the 8th Division, Submarine Force, then consisting of O-3, O-4, O-5, O-6, O-7, O-8, O-9, and O-10.

Her operations included support of frequent torpedo practice exercises, fleet maneuvers, and normal upkeep and maintenance of her flotilla.

Remaining in Hawaiian waters, she entered Pearl Harbor on 28 April for an abbreviated overhaul, after which she joined the Battle Force for exercises in Lahaina Roads.

Overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard followed; and, in mid-September, Savannah took part in the California Diamond Jubilee celebrations at San Francisco.

Assigned to duty as flagship, Commander, Submarine Divisions, Battle Force, Savannah operated along the Pacific coast from Washington to Panama into September 1926.