Two days later the new monitor departed New York and joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Hampton Roads on 29 November but was immediately sent to the Washington Navy Yard for repairs. There President Abraham Lincoln visited the ship with members of his cabinet 6 December. After returning to Hampton Roads on 26 December, "Passaic", towed by , got underway three days later with , towed by , heading for Beaufort, North Carolina. Encountering bad weather off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, she leaked badly and was forced to work her pumps and throw all shot overboard to remain afloat, but she reached Beaufort on New Year's Day 1863. "Monitor" foundered during the storm.