English: HMS Shearwater. 328 tons, 160 h.p., complement 50. Built at Harwich in 1826 as a paddle-wheel steam gun-vessel, named Dolphin for the Post Office packet service, the Shearwater became a an Admiralty vessel in 1837 on the mail steam packet serivice from Liverpool. From 1841 to 1846 she was allocated to surveying as successor to the Fairy and was the principal surveying ship in home waters under the command of Washington until 1843 and then Robinson. The illustration shows her immediately ahead of the Royal George when Queen Victoria visited Einburgh in 1842 and is part of a water-colour. In 1847 together wth other steam surveying vessels, the Shearwater was needed for the relief of famine in Ireland and thereafter continued in general service as a tender to the Mediterranean flagship until sold in Malta in 1857. From: Day, Archibald (1967) The Admiralty Hydrographic Service, 1795-1919, H.M. Stationery Office OCLC: 1082894797.