H.M.S Queen was the very last sailing battleship to be completed for service before the advent of steam. Originally to be called Royal Frederick, she was re-named in honour of the new queen when virtually finished and was launched on 15 May 1839. An enormous three-decker of 3,099 tons, she measured 204 feet in length and was armed with ten 8in. guns and 100 32-pounders. In almost continuous commission for nearly 20 years, she was part of the fleet sent to the Black Sea during the Crimean War (1854-56) where she distinguished herself at the first bombardment of Sebastopol on 17 October 1854. Due to the Naval modernisation programme between 1858-9 she was re-fitted and converted to screw propulsion. She then joined the Mediterranean Fleet where she remained until 1864. She was eventually broken up in 1871.