"Vixen", "Viper," and "Waterwitch" conducted comparative trials at Stokes Bay during the late 1860s. Although turning ability was impressive, none of the ships attained more than in an era when could achieve . Furthermore, "Vixen" was nearly lost in the Irish Channel during a winter gale in 1876, making her unsuitable for the open sea under steam or sail. "Vixen" and "Viper" were towed to Bermuda in 1868 where they operated within the reefline as floating defensive batteries, extending the defences of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda.