"florida" stood out of new york harbor on 19 october 1861 to join the south atlantic blockading squadron in patrolling the coasts of south carolina, georgia, and florida. she helped capture a ship and a schooner who were running the blockade. returning to new york during november 1862, she was decommissioned for repairs, and was recommissioned 7 march 1863 for service with the north atlantic blockading squadron. she was particularly successful in this assignment, capturing a steamer and a schooner off wilmington, north carolina, in june 1863, and aiding the destruction of a number of british steamers used as blockade runners in february 1864, including ps "fanny and jennie".