She was fitted for British service from 14 December of that same year. From 1854 to 1859, "Tartar" was in active service throughout the Crimean War, and served on the North America and West Indies Station. During that period, Captain Hugh Dunlop was the captain of HMS "Tartar". For her service in the Baltic she was awarded the battle honour Baltic 1855. In 1860 she sailed from Sheerness Dockyard under Captain John Montagu Hayes for service in the Pacific, primarily in Japan. She underwent repairs in South Africa during her voyage to Japan. HMS "Tartar" was then involved in the Shimonoseki campaign of 1863-1864 and was involved in the bombardment of Shimonoseki itself.