No man's land
In the summer of 1851, Parker spent three months on leave and then reported to , which was then assigned to perform coastal survey duties. For the remainder of the summer, Parker sailed with the "Washington" along the Nantucket Shoals, surveying such areas as Block Island and the so-called "No man's land". The cruise of "Washington" ended in October 1851 when the ship sailed to New York City for a lay-up. The crew was discharged and reassigned, and Parker reported to the Washington Navy Yard for administrative duties.