Maji-Maji-Aufstand
In June 1905, "FK" Ludwig Glatzel became the ship's commander. Following the outbreak of the Maji Maji Rebellion against colonial rule in German East Africa in July, "Thetis" was detached from the East Africa Squadron to reinforce the colonial garrison, though she officially remained part of the unit. "Thetis"s crew again secured the "Schiesspreis" for the 1905 training year. She left Hong Kong on 28 August and arrived in East Africa on 26 September; the unprotected cruiser joined her there on 1 October. Since Glatzel was the senior-most captain of the vessels in the area, which also included the unprotected cruiser , the station ship in East Africa, he became the commander of the naval forces in the region. The rebellion was quickly suppressed, however, and by 30 December Glatzel reembarked "Thetis"s landing party. He reported to the "Admiralstab" on 2 January 1906 that "Thetis" and "Seeadler" were no longer required and the naval command concurred, though "Thetis" remained in Dar es Salaam until 29 March, when she was ordered to return to Germany. After arriving in Danzig, "Thetis" was decommissioned on 18 June for a major overhaul, after which she was placed in reserve for the next eight years.