HMS
Wolverine was built at the
Woolwich Dockyard and launched at
Woolwich on 29 August 1863. She was commissioned as the
flagship of the
Australia Station on 7 September 1875, under the command of Commodore
Anthony Hoskins. In late May 1880,
Wolverie ran aground in the
River Tamar. She was refloated. During her service
Wolverine was present for the Royal Navy's Detached Squadron world cruise in 1881 when the princes
Albert and
George undertook naval training. The
Wolverine left Sydney Harbour at the same time as the Detached Squadron on 10 August 1881, with Commodore
John Wilson, Commander-in-Chief of the Australia Station, her destination being Brisbane and then New Guinea. The scientist
Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay travelled to New Guinea on this voyage where, aided by the Rev. James Chalmers, he intervened with the Commodore to stop the destruction of the entire native village of Kalo in reprisal for the recent murder of some missionaries there. ''Wolverine's
service came to an end and was replaced by HMS Nelson'' and paid off in 1882 at Sydney. She was presented to the
Colony of New South Wales as a training ship for the
New South Wales Naval Brigade and New South Wales Naval Artillery Volunteers – challenging "enemy" ships at Sydney heads and "attacking" coastal and harbour fortifications. The ship was decommissioned in 1892, sold to a private firm (Peter Ellison, Sydney) for £2,200 in August 1893 and with the engines removed was used as a
hulk. After refit and conversion to a
barque, she commenced service as a merchant vessel. On a voyage from Sydney to Liverpool, England she sprung leaks and returned to Auckland for repairs, however upon docking she was found to be unfit. She was sold to G. Niccol, Auckland, for £1,000. ==Fate==