From March, 1877, until May, 1879, he was in command of the United
States steamer Ashuelot on the Asiatic station, making a most
interesting cruise, and having, for a time, the pleasure of General
Grant's company on board, as a guest.

Since his return from that cruise he has been on "waiting orders,"
varied by occasional duty as member of courts-martial, boards of
examination, and the like.

In March, 1882, he was promoted to a post-captaincy, as the grade of
captain in the navy was styled in the olden time, which grade
corresponds with that of colonel in the army.

Captain Perkins has a house in Boston, where he makes his home in
winter, but nothing has ever weakened his affection for the old Granite
State, and nothing delights him more, when possible to do so, than to
put behind him the whirl and distraction of the city for the quiet
enjoyment of the fresh, exhilarating air, unpretentious, wholesome life,
and substantial ways that await him among his dear native hills.

In glancing over the "Portraits for Posterity," the writer notes the
conspicuous absence of naval representation among the "counterfeit
presentments" that adorn the walls of the Capitol at Concord and the
halls of Dartmouth, and ventures to suggest to Governor Prescott, the
distinguished and indefatigable collector of most of the pictures, that
portraits of Thornton of the Kearsarge, and Perkins of the Cayuga and
Chickasaw, might fittingly be given place among those who, in the varied
walks of life, have lent distinction and added lustre to the Province
and State of New Hampshire from Colonial times to this. Let not the men
of the sea be forgotten!