 "Saugus" was recommissioned November 9, 1872, sailed south, and was based at Key West, Florida, until 1876.In 1874 and 1875, Woodward served on the Civil War-era screw sloop , which was reactivated January 20, 1874, and operated "along the southern coast of the United States until autumn when she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to be fitted out for service as flagship of the South Atlantic Squadron.She got underway for the coast of Brazil on January 23, 1875, and operated in South American waters protecting American interests until heading home on December 7.