HMS Marlborough (1855)


HMS Marlborough was a first-rate three-decker 131 gun screw ship built for the Royal Navy in 1855. She was begun as a sailing ship of the line, but was completed to a modified design and converted to steam on the stocks.
She served as flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet from 1858-64. In 1864 she was replaced as flagship by
Victoria. She sailed back to Portsmouth to serve as a receiving ship and as a training ship for engineers. Whilst at Portsmouth, she was down-graded in rating to a 98 gun ship.
For a time her Commander was Sir Edward Dolman Scott, 6th Baronet Scott of Great Barr.
In 1904
Marlborough was moved to Portchester Creek and renamed
Vernon II
, becoming an accommodation hulk to the shore establishment HMS Vernon.
Marlborough was sold to A. Butcher for breaking up in October 1924, but capsized and sank with the loss of four men on 28 November 1924 off Selsey while being towed to the breakers at Osea Island.