Augusta, Sicily
Starting in October 1907, "Elba" was modified to handle a Draken observation balloon. The balloon was linked to the ship via a telephone line, and was used to spot naval mines, scout for the fleet, and to observe the fall of shot from the ships. This was the first time the Italian navy experimented with aircraft of any sort at sea. Initial tests were held off Calabria in company with "Liguria", which was similarly modified. During the annual fleet maneuvers in 1908, "Elba" and her balloon were used to keep watch on the harbor entrance of Augusta, Sicily, which proved to be effective in alerting defenders to attacking warships.