The rapid development of naval technology during this period led to fears that she would be obsolete before she could be launched, and work was suspended on 2 October 1848.

[2] Key was invalided back to Britain in April, and was replaced by Captain Julian Foulston Slight.

[5] He was in turn replaced by Captain Rochfort Maguire, who remained in command until her return to Plymouth at the end of 1859.

[2] Sans Pareil was recommissioned on 5 June 1862 under the command of Captain Arthur Parry Eardley-Wilmot,[6] replacing HMS Nile as the Queenstown guardship.

Her final captain was George Le Geyt Bowyear,[7] and Sans Pareil spent 1863 conveying marines to China, and returning invalids home.