 Returning to active duty as Flagship Cyrenaica, she served in the shore bombardment role until the end of the war, when she was again returned to second-line service as a distilling ship.Fitted with four distillers and capable of producing 200 tons of fresh water every 24 hours, she was operating in this role at the start of the First World War.Because of the pressing need for artillery for service with the army, "Giovanni Bausan" was partially disarmed in 1915, losing her 10-inch guns and two of the 6-inch pieces.