 "Amphion" was initially planned and ordered from Woolwich Dockyard as HMS "Ambuscade" on 13 May 1828, but was renamed on 31 March 1831.She was laid down on 15 April 1840, but on 18 June 1844 she was reordered as a screw propelled frigate, to a design by White.She was duly launched on 14 January 1846, and commissioned on 13 May 1847.