She was launched in 1836, took part in the French campaigns in Algeria and was struck from the navy in 1860.

Commanded by Joseph Grégoire Casy, in October 1837 Hercule provided a landing party, including François d'Orléans, Prince of Joinville, third son of the French monarch, to assist in the French campaign to take the city of Constantine from Ahmed Bey ben Mohamed Chérif, but they arrived 4 days after the city had fallen.

[1] A 10-month cruise to West Africa, South America, the Caribbean and the United States followed, with the ship returning to Brest on 11 July 1838.

[1] From 1839, she was appointed to the Mediterranean squadron, under Captain Fauré.

Her armament was updated to include Paixhans guns.