Orders for Jackal and her sister Lizard were placed on 16 January 1844.

They were designed by the builder, Robert Napier and Sons and approved on 17 April 1844 by the Surveyor of the Navy, Sir William Symonds.

Jackal was fitted with a Napier two-cylinder side-lever steam engine driving side paddles.

[4] She was again paid off at Keyham, Devon on 8 February 1864, recommissioned the next day.

[5] By 1864 she was employed on fishery protection duties off the west coast of Scotland.