HMS Assistance (1850)

HMS Assistance was a screw-propelled surveying vessel of the Royal Navy, launched in 1850. Built at Pembroke Dockyard, she was initially commissioned as a fourth-rate frigate, but her design was soon altered to better suit her intended role in exploration and hydrographic surveying.

Assistance was noted for her involvement in several significant Arctic expeditions. In 1850, she participated in the widespread search for Sir John Franklin and his lost expedition, under the command of Captain Erasmus Ommanney. During this search, Ommanney discovered traces of Franklin's first winter camp at Beechey Island, a crucial finding in understanding the early stages of the Franklin expedition's fate.

Later, Assistance served in other surveying duties, contributing to the charting of various coastlines and waterways. Her robust construction and adaptable design made her well-suited for demanding environments.

She was eventually sold out of service, her role fulfilled by newer vessels with more advanced technology. Her legacy remains tied to the search for Franklin and her contributions to maritime surveying.