but for occasional short runs to port royal to replenish her provisions and to refill her coal bunkers or to tow vessels to other points within the limits of her squadron, "augusta" labored into the summer to tighten the blockade of charleston during the ensuing months. then, on 5 july, du pont — who was to be relieved of command of the south atlantic blockading squadron by rear admiral john a. dahlgren — ordered parrott "... to prepare the "augusta" for sea, as i propose to go to the delaware in your vessel." the transfer of command took place the next day on board the and, once du pont had embarked in "augusta", she sailed for the delaware capes. after dropping off her former squadron commander at new castle, the steamer proceeded upstream and arrived at the philadelphia navy yard on 10 july.