After her modernization, "Wörth" returned to service on 27 September 1904 assigned to II Squadron, where she replaced the old coastal defense ship . She served briefly as the flagship of "KAdm" Alfred Breusing from September until December, when she was replaced in that role by . On 16 February 1905, "Wörth" ran aground in the Kieler Förde. She was pulled free two days later after enough coal and ammunition were thrown overboard to lighten the ship. She then steamed into Kiel and entered drydock, where her bottom was found to be slightly dented. A second accident occurred on 5 July, when the torpedo boat ran across "Wörth"s bow. The battleship could not turn in time and rammed the torpedo boat, damaging it severely. One of "S 124"s boiler rooms flooded and the rush of steam from the boilers badly burned three men.