She was assigned to the Mediterranean Station between 1840 and 1843, she participated during the Syrian War of 1840. After a period of being laid in reserve she served as part of the West Africa Squadron off Africa from 1845 until 1858. On 1 January 1856, "Hecate" sank the American brigantine "Chatsworth", which was engaged in the slave trade. Her crew survived. Later that month, she ran aground at Lagos. The steamship "Puffin" was subsequently wrecked during operations to salvage her guns. After being fitted out for survey operations, she was assigned to the Pacific Station in 1860, undertaking surveys along the British Columbia coast. The Hecate Strait, between the British Columbia mainland and the islands of Haida Gwaii, is named for her. Arriving at the Australia Station in 1863, she undertook survey work in Botany Bay, Moreton Bay, the Brisbane River and Torres Strait before leaving the Australia Station in 1864.