Ordered to relieve HMS President, the Royal Naval Reserve drill ship, then berthed in the West India Docks of the Port of London. Gannet underwent major alterations to convert her into a drill ship. Renamed HMS President, she took up her new duties as the Headquarters ship of the London Royal Naval Reserve in the South West India Docks in June 1903. In 1909 she was renamed President II and in the spring of 1911, she was replaced as the H.Q. ship for the London R.N.R. by HMS Buzzard.
From 1911 until 1914 Gannet (as HMS President II) was again placed on the List of Non-Effective Vessels.
