HMS Phaeton (1848) was a fourth-rate ship of the line of the British Royal Navy, constructed to a design by Joseph White of Cowes. Launched in November 1848 at Deptford, she was originally named Arrogant but was renamed Phaeton shortly after her ordering. The vessel's early history includes her presence at Chatham on December 20, 1848. The ship's specifications are not detailed in the provided content, but her classification as a fourth-rate ship of the line indicates she was a sizable warship designed for fleet actions. Phaeton's early service included participation in the Experimental Squadron, on August 30, 1851, which was significant for sailing trials conducted in 1852. From December 4, 1849, to January 25, 1853, she was under the command of Captain George Augustus Elliot on "Particular service." In 1859, Phaeton underwent a notable transformation into a screw frigate at Sheerness, reflecting the transitional period in naval technology from sail to steam. She was undocked on December 12, 1859, after her conversion. The following year, she was stationed at Sheerness, and by November 1, 1861, she was commissioned at Chatham for service on the North America and West Indies Station under Captain Edward Tatham. Tatham commanded her until August 24, 1863, after which Captain George Le Geyt Bowyear took over until March 24, 1865. She was paid off at Chatham after her service in this station. In her later years, Phaeton was recorded at Sheerness in 1870, before being broken up at Chatham starting June 24, 1875. Her service records, including ship's books from 1848 to about 1873, are preserved at the National Archives, marking her as a vessel involved in key transitional phases of Royal Navy history, from sail to steam, and serving across distant stations during her career.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.