The armoured "Huáscar" proved virtually impenetrable to the British guns, but the two unarmoured British ships had to keep clear of the "Huáscar"’s turret guns. although "Shah" was the fastest battleship then afloat, the smaller "Huáscar" was better able to navigate evasively in the shallow waters. In the course of the action the "Shah" fired the first torpedo to be used in anger, although it missed – being outrun by "Huáscar". During her time as flagship she also visited Pitcairn Island. On her voyage home in 1879, she was diverted at St. Helena, where news was received of the defeat of the British Army at the Battle of Isandhlwana, carrying soldiers to Durban in South Africa. She then formed part of a Royal Naval contingent that assisted in the Anglo-Zulu War, before she completed her voyage to Britain. On 24 October 1879 some of her crew were paid off at Portsmouth and "Shah" was placed in the fourth division of the Steam Reserve, then joined the North America and West Indies Station at the Royal Naval Dockyard on Ireland Island, Bermuda, to provide accommodation. HMS Malabar took over this task in 1897, and in December 1904 "Shah" was converted to a coal storage hulk and renamed "C.470". The hulk was sold on 19 September 1919, and subsequently wrecked in 1926 at Bermuda.