The Crimean War sparked a sudden need for shallow-draught, manoeuvrable vessels for inshore work in the Baltic and the Black Sea.

The Arrow class of six wooden-hulled screw steamers were built during 1854 to a design by the Surveyor's Department.

[1] The Arrow class were provided with two 68-pounder Lancaster muzzle-loading rifles weighing 95 long cwt (4,800 kg) on pivot mounts, and four 32-pounder 25 long cwt (1,300 kg) guns.

Wrangler was sent to the Baltic on completion, and the others of the class to the Black Sea where they took part in the Crimean War.

The Lancaster guns were not entirely successful, and the class had their armament reduced, being employed in their original designation as dispatch vessels.