The Conqueror class ships were designed in 1852 as two-decker 101-gun first rates in a period when many under-construction sail ships of the line were being redesigned to use screw propulsion in addition to sail.

HMS Conqueror was wrecked on Rum Cay whilst carrying this out, but without losses, and most of her machinery, guns and stores were subsequently salvaged.

The advent of armoured ironclads, such as HMS Warrior in the 1860s made the traditional ships of the line largely obsolete.

HMS Donegal continued in service as a guard ship, in which role she took the last surrender of the American Civil War.

[2] She was hulked in 1886, and became part of the torpedo training school HMS Vernon.