HMS Vulture was a steam-powered wooden-hulled second-class paddle frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

 of the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

. The Vulture carried 6 guns - two 8-inch guns of 95 cwt mounted on pivots at bow and stern, and four 8-inch guns of 65 cwt on broadside trucks, and had a displacement of 1,960 tons. She was launched on 21 September 1843 and was then fitted with Fairbairn engines in East India Docks until 23 January 1844. She had cost £24,323 to build and £22,395 to fit out (including £21,429 for the 470 NHP engines.

The Vulture was first commissioned in February 1845 under Captain J. McDougall, for the West Indies, and completed fitting for sea (for a further £9,173) at Sheerness Dockyard until 7 June 1845. She paid off on return from the East Indies in 1847, and underwent a Small Repair at Sheerness and Woolwich in 1848-49 (for £17,334). She was recommissioned in November 1852 under the was command of Captain Frederick Henry Hastings Glasse, and was used in the Baltic theatre of the Crimean War in 1855. She was recommissioned again in December 1859 under Captain C. Packer, for service in the Mediterranean. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1860, and laid up at Portsmouth. She was sold in 1866 to Castle & Son, Charlton to be broken up.

Reference

• David Lyon and Rif Winfield, The Sail and Steam Navy List 1815-1889. Chatham Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-86176-032-9.