serving with the coast squadron, "florida" trained midshipmen on summer cruises, and operated along the east coast and in the caribbean waters. she participated in the presidential naval review in oyster bay, long island, held by theodore roosevelt on 3 september 1906, and four days later reported to the naval academy for regular service as a practice ship. she was placed in reserve september 11, 1906, but returned to full commission between 7 june and 30 august 1907, for a midshipman cruise, and between 21 may and 19 june 1908 for participation in ordnance experiments. these included testing the then-new superfire concept where turrets were mounted in line with one turret elevated to fire over the other.