She entered British Naval service in 1854 and served three commissions including action in the Russian War 1854 - 55 before being sold in 1869.

[12][13][14] The original design for the figurehead of Malacca depicted a turbaned male bust with moustache and striped shirt.

[15] The connection to India (Myanmar was part of British India until 1937[16]) perhaps explains why the original design featured a turban, or it can perhaps be linked to the various ethnic groups of Myanmar - the ship's launch location - that wear turbans as part of their traditional, cultural dress.

The design, which is held within the National Archives Admiralty papers, was approved with a total of £9.0.0 (approximately £970.18 in 2025) being allowed for the work.

[17] It is not known whether Hellyer’s figurehead ever reached its destination of Moulmein, Burma (modern day Mawlamyine, Myanmar), or whether it was ever fitted to the ship.

The carving resides in the collection at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth,[18] does not match the Hellyer design.

She was commissioned on 19 June 1854 under the command of Captain Arthur Farquhar, RN for Particular Service during the Russian War 1854 - 55.

[24] In January 1857, she rescued the survivors from the Royal Sicilian Navy ship Carlo III, which suffered a boiler explosion and sank in the Mediterranean Sea with the loss of more than half of her 100 crew.

[26] She was commissioned at Sheerness on 3 September 1861 under the command of Captain Gerard J. Napier, RN for service in the Mediterranean.

[28] Her last commission was on 10 November 1865 under the command of Captain Radulphus B. Oldfield, RN for service on the Pacific Station.