"john p. kennedy" departed new york 21 june 1853 and arrived cape of good hope 10 september. she departed cape of good hope 9 november with the expedition and arrived batavia, java, the day after christmas. she took active part in surveying operations in indonesian waters until putting in at singapore 4 april 1854 en route to hong kong where she arrived 25 may for repairs. in august the high cost of placing her in good condition prompted lieutenant john rodgers, who had succeeded commander ringgold in command, to turn "john p. kennedy" over to the east indies squadron to become a guard ship at the american factory, canton, china. the ship stood out of hong kong 20 august and arrived at her new station 2 days later.