HMS Resolute was a British Royal Navy ship launched in 1850. Originally built as a polar exploration vessel, it was designed to search for the lost Franklin Expedition in the Arctic. The ship was notable for its sturdy construction and ability to navigate icy waters. After being abandoned in the Arctic, HMS Resolute was found by an American whaling ship in 1855. The ship was returned to Britain, where it was refurbished and later served as a symbol of goodwill. In 1880, it was decommissioned and eventually made into a desk for U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes.