"Richmond" then cruised off the mouth of the river, blockading Confederate forces and aiding Army engineers erecting batteries on the banks of the South and Southwest passages. In mid-November 1861, she returned to Pensacola Bay for temporary repairs. On 22 November "Richmond" joined the steam sloop of war "Niagara" and the guns of Fort Pickens to bombard Pensacola Navy Yard, the Confederate defenses at Fort McRee, and the town of Warrington. On the second day of firing "Richmond" had one man killed and seven wounded when hit twice by shore fire. One shell hit forward, destroying railing and hammock nettings, and one aft on the starboard side glanced under her counter, exploding underwater, damaging her bottom and causing serious leaks. "Richmond" retired to Key West, Florida, and stood out from that port 27 November 1861 for repairs at the New York Navy Yard.