Mississippi cruised the Mediterranean Sea during 1849–1851.[citation needed] On 28 August 1851, Mississippi ran aground off Smyrna, Ottoman Empire whilst on her way to collect Louis Kossuth before taking him into exile in the United States. Initial attempts to refloat her by the British paddle steamer Euxine and three other vessels were unsuccessful.She was refloated on 26 August.Mississippi was then prepared for Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan. Serving as the flagship; it was commanded by Sydney Smith Lee. The squadron cleared Hampton Roads on 24 November 1852, for Madeira, the Cape of Good Hope, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, which was reached 4 May 1853.
