Three-masted square-rigged wooden ship, with 1200 horsepower steam engine of 2300 tons displacement and 200 feet length overall. For the expedition, all but two of the ship's 17 guns had been removed to make way for purpose-built scientific laboratories and workrooms designed specifically for biological, chemical and physical work.

1858 - built at Woolwich dockyard.

1872 - survey ship.

1880 - hulk.

1921 - sold to J.B. Garnham.