On 16 February she arrived off Anton Lizardo where she remained until October, rendering assistance to vessels in distress and performing duty as guard ship while dispensing provisions, wood, water, ordnance equipment, and ammunition to the squadron of Commodores David Conner and Matthew C. Perry engaged in the bombardment and occupation of Vera Cruz, Tuxpan, and Tabasco, Mexico.

She sailed for home in June, via Pensacola, Florida, to land hospital supplies from Salmadina, and on 23 July arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, to disembark a battalion of U.S. Marines and invalids from the Gulf Squadron.

She sailed from New York 11 December and on 31 July 1849 arrived in San Francisco Bay, after stopping at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Valparaíso, Chile, and Callao, Peru.

The earthquake, reported to be the most devastating and extensive that ever occurred in South America, destroyed not only Arica but a number of other large cities on the west side of the Peruvian Andes Mountains.

The officers and men of the United States Squadron, under command of Rear Admiral T. Turner, immediately rushed assistance to the stricken inhabitants of Arica, providing food, clothing and medicines from the ships' supplies and conveying surgeons, nurses, provisions and other necessities from Callao and Valparaíso.