From 1854 to 1856 "Harrier" took part in the Russian War as part of the naval force in the Baltic. She served on the South Atlantic Station before refitting in Portsmouth in 1860. She recommissioned on 29 October 1860 for the Australia Station, where she took part in the New Zealand Wars. Her captain, Commander Edward Hay, was killed on 30 April 1864 during the storming of Gate Pā, and his Coxswain, Samuel Mitchell, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. "Harrier" paid off at Portsmouth on 31 March 1865 and was broken up the next year.