 Following repairs at Mare Island Navy Yard, "Benicia" joined the North Pacific Squadron 6 December 1872.She cruised in Mexican, Central American, and Hawaiian waters and arrived at San Francisco, California on 29 November 1874 carrying King Kalākaua of Hawaii and his suite.Captain of the Mizzen Top Albert Weisbogel also received the Medal of Honor (his first award) for service on "Benicia", in 1874.