 The ship's new commander was "KzS" Victor Valois.While en route from Kiel to Wilhelmshaven to join the rest of the squadron, "Gneisenau" ran aground off the island of Lolland in heavy fog; she had to be towed free by the ironclad , though she was undamaged in the accident.The squadron left Wilhelmshaven on 30 October, bound for West Africa.