 "Hydra" then saw action during the Syrian War, as part of a squadron under the command of Commodore Charles Napier (the ships , , , , , frigate , and steamer ) operating off the coast of Ottoman Syria.In Admiral Sir Robert Stopford's report on the Anglo-Austrian-Turkish landings in September 1840 he noted that the steam vessels had been "eminently useful in constantly moving along a great extent of coast with troops and arms, and taking part in the attacks upon the different forts".From 26 December 1840 until 21 August 1842 she was commanded by Commander Alexander Murray on the North America and West Indies Station.