She was commissioned at Chatham on 2 January 1877 as flagship, Mediterranean Fleet, and held this position continuously until 1889. She was the flagship of Admiral Hornby in his passage through the Dardanelles during the Russian war scare of 1878. On 9 February, she ran aground in bad weather at the narrowest part of the strait and was towed off by HMS Sultan in time to lead the squadron to Constantinople.
She was appointed at Chatham on 2 January 1877 as flagship, Mediterranean Fleet, and maintained this position without interruption until 1889. She served as the flagship of Admiral Hornby during his passage through the Dardanelles during the Russian war scare of 1878. On 9 February, she ran aground in harsh weather at the narrowest part of the strait and was pulled off by HMS Sultan just in time to lead the squadron to Constantinople.