HMS Assistance was a British Royal Navy ship launched in 1855, primarily designed for Arctic exploration. It was a wooden screw-propelled vessel, equipped to navigate icy waters and support expeditions in the challenging Arctic environment. The ship is best known for its role in the search for Sir John Franklin, who disappeared during his 1845 expedition to find the Northwest Passage. HMS Assistance participated in several rescue missions, contributing valuable information about the Arctic region and the fate of Franklin's crew.