 The ship was powered by two vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each driving one propeller shaft. Steam for the engines was supplied by eight Scotch marine boilers. Designed for a maximum output of 13,000 indicated horsepower (9,700 kW) and a speed of 19 knots (35 km / h; 22 mph), Vettor Pisani only reached a speed of 18.6 knots (34.4 km / h; 21.4 mph) during her sea trials despite slightly exceeding her designed horsepower with 13,259 ihp (9,887 kW). She had a cruising radius of about 5,400 nautical miles (10,000 km; 6,200 mi) at a speed of 10 knots (19 km / h; 12 mph).
