Princeton was originally assigned to sail with Admiral Matthew C. Perry's squadron to Japan, but broke down due to boiler problems just as the voyage was to start.

Upon completion of the hull at Boston, Princeton proceeded 19 May 1852 to Baltimore, Maryland, where her machinery was installed at Vulcan Iron Works.

From July to September 1853 Princeton served as flagship of the Eastern Squadron under the command of Commodore William Shubrick, which was responsible for protecting fisheries off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Princeton next returned to New York City upon completion of this assignment, where she remained until 31 October 1854 and then got underway for duty in the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies.

There she spent several weeks searching for the ill-fated USS Albany, a sail-powered sloop of war lost with 210 hands.