Recommissioned after such a period in ordinary 16 December 1841, Falmouth joined the recently organized Home Squadron.

Falmouth cruised from the Banks of Newfoundland to the mouth of the Amazon and in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico with this squadron until 1846, aside from necessary repair periods.

During the opening months of the Mexican–American War, from April to September 1846, she blockaded Mexican ports, then sailed north for repairs.

Between 16 December 1854 and August 1855 Falmouth cruised through the West Indies in an unsuccessful search for news of Albany, missing since September.

Fitted out as a stationary storeship, Falmouth departed New York on 1 April 1860 for Aspinwall, Panama, the port later known as Colón.