On completion of her official duties, she was recommissioned and issued to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, for use as a training ship for midshipmen.

Laid up in ordinary in the Norfolk Navy Yard until 1870 she sailed for Annapolis, Maryland, 30 September to prepare for service on the expedition to Tehuantepec, Mexico, to survey the isthmus for a possible inter-oceanic canal.

After gathering valuable data about the topography of Central America during the winter and spring, Mayflower returned to the Washington Navy Yard 25 May.

After repairs at Camden, New Jersey, Mayflower recommissioned 11 May 1876, and two days later got underway for Annapolis for duty as a training ship at the United States Naval Academy.

Her valuable service teaching the art of seamanship to the Nation’s future naval leaders continued until Mayflower was struck from the Navy list 23 September 1892.