in 1899 she was the leader of the devonport flotilla under the command of commander alexander ludovic duff during exercises in july. commander pennant lloyd was appointed in command in january 1900. the following month she had her starboard propeller damaged while in the falmouth harbour, when the destroyer dragged her moorings and drifted into "bat" and other ships of the flotilla. following repairs in devonport, she was to go back to the flotilla, but had to withdraw for a longer period as there was an accident in the engine-room during power trials in late february. she paid off into the dockyard reserve at devonport on 8 march 1900. her next commanding officer, from 1901, was commander roger keyes, who pioneered new aggressive tactics for destroyers during this period. "bat" was paid off on 4 january 1902, when her crew was turned over to the destroyer , which took her place in the flotilla. after paying off, she underwent repairs to re-tube her reed boilers.