She was completed for sea on 6 September 1840 at an initial cost of £41,420, including £19,248 for hull construction, £13,280 for her machinery and £8,712 for her fitting out.

[4][Note 1] She was commissioned on 18 July 1840 under the command of Woodford John Williams, RN for service in the Mediterranean.

She joined Sir Robert Napier's Fleet for service in the Baltic after war with Russia was declared.

[11] She returned to Home Waters when the Fleet left the Baltic in September prior to the Winter freeze up.

After the occupation of Kertch, she participated in the naval excursion led by HMS Miranda into the Sea of Azov.

[16] She was commissioned on 9 December 1861 under Commander William Buller Fullerton Elphinstone, RN for service in Home Waters at Portsmouth.