HMS Megaera was originally constructed as an iron screw frigate for the Royal Navy, and was one of the last and largest ships built by William Fairbairn's Millwall shipyard. Launched on 22 May 1849, HMS Megaera was one of the first iron ships ordered by the Royal Navy. She was named after the mythological figure Megaera, one of the Erinyes (or Furies, in Roman mythology). Following a change in military strategy the Megaera evacuated a small detachment of 21 Royal Artillery Soldiers from the Island of St Vincent on 10 May 1853 landing them at Barbados 2 days later.