HMS Hannibal (1854)

HMS Hannibal was a 91-gun second-rate screw ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1854. She was designed by Sir Baldwin Walker and was one of the Hannibal-class ships.

Hannibal's design incorporated improvements over earlier sailing ships of the line by including screw propulsion, which significantly increased her maneuverability and effectiveness. She was built during a period of transition in naval technology, as ironclad warships were beginning to emerge, making Hannibal represent one of the last generation of large wooden warships.

The Hannibal saw active service in the Crimean War, participating in the bombardment of Sevastopol. She served in other locations during the mid-19th century, contributing to British naval power and demonstrating the Royal Navy's reach.

After her active service, Hannibal was relegated to more auxiliary roles, eventually being converted into a training ship. This transformation reflected the changing nature of naval warfare, as newer, more technologically advanced vessels superseded ships like the Hannibal. She was eventually sold for breaking. The fate of the Hannibal serves as a representation of the broader shift away from wooden sailing warships to ironclad and steel vessels in the late 19th century.