 After her commissioning on 9 May 1885, she departed from England on 21 May to join the "Squada Permamente" (Permanent Squadron), and in 1887–1888 she participated in the conquest of Eritrea, where she acted as the flagship of the Italian Red Sea Squadron.Following the conclusion of the Eritrean campaign, "Giovanni Bausan" returned to Italy.In 1888, she took part in the annual fleet maneuvers, along with four ironclads, three other protected cruisers, four torpedo cruisers, and numerous smaller vessels.