HMS Wolverine (1863)

HMS Wolverine was a Royal Navy corvette built by J. Scott & Sons of Greenock and launched in 1863. She was a wooden-hulled, steam-powered vessel designed for both sail and steam propulsion, typical of ships of that era transitioning between the age of sail and the age of steam. She was armed with a variety of guns, reflecting the mixed role such corvettes played in patrolling and projecting British power across the globe.

Wolverine's design emphasized speed and maneuverability, crucial for chasing down slave ships and policing far-flung corners of the British Empire. She served on various stations throughout her career, including deployments to the Pacific and the East Indies. Her duties would have involved anti-slavery patrols, trade protection, and general naval presence.

The ship was eventually sold out of service in 1875. Her career exemplifies the workaday lives of many mid-Victorian warships, which, while not involved in major fleet engagements, played a crucial role in maintaining Britain's maritime dominance.