HMS Galatea was an Ariadne class 26-gun sixth rate wooden screw frigate in the Royal Navy, launched in 1859 and broken up 1883. She was first assigned to the Channel Squadron and then from 1863 to 1865 to the North America and West Indies Station based in Bermuda and Halifax. While in Halifax, Galatea inspired a trio of dramatic paintings by ship portrait artist John O'Brien. In 1866, after a refit, she went on a world cruise, under the command of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. While in Sydney, Galatea was placed in the Fitzroy Dock, Cockatoo Island in 1870.