 From February to April 1852 she surveyed from Sierra Leone to the Cape of Good Hope, and on 28–29 April 1852 while at Simon's Town made a survey from Simon's Bay to Danger Point.On 10 August 1852 Commander Belgrave left the ship owing to ill health, and Lieutenant William Everard Alphonso Gordon from was appointed acting commander, serving until 21 January 1853, when Commander Henry Gage Morris was appointed to her.In July–August 1853 "Hydra" was surveying between the Comoros Islands and the Cape of Good Hope.