Boston, being the second cruiser of the New Navy completed, was not ready for active service until 1888. She then made a cruise to Guatemala and Haiti to protect American citizens. She joined the Squadron of Evolution 30 September 1889 and cruised to the Mediterranean and South America (7 December 1889 – 29 July 1890), and along the east coast in 1891. Boston departed New York 24 October 1891 for the Pacific via Cape Horn, arriving at San Francisco 2 May 1892. Except for a prospective commanding officer's cruise to the Hawaiian Islands (11 August 1892 – 10 October 1893) in which it provided a shore party in January 1893 that bolstered the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, she remained on the west coast until laid up at Mare Island Navy Yard 4 November 1893.