Built in London for the Greeks, Karteria (formerly known as Perseverance) was possibly the most modern warship in the world when it entered service in 1826.

She operated under sail while travelling, but could be propelled by steam-powered paddles in battle. Captained by Frank Abney Hastings, armed with 68-pounder guns and equipped with on-board furnaces to provide red-hot incendiary shots, Karteria was deadly against the older wood and sail ships of the Ottoman navy. In 1827 alone, she fired 18,000 rounds and sank several enemy ships.

Samuel Howe, who served on Karteria as a doctor, writes: "Having received my commission from government as Director of the Medical Department in the Fleet, I embarked yesterday on board this vessel for Hydra, where is the steam-frigate Karteria .... Captain Hastings is a man who deserves the deepest gratitude and respect from the Greek nation. It is only through his exertion, his activity, and generosity, that this ship was ever got out".

She was built under his own eye in London, and carries as much weight of metal as a thirty-six-gun frigate; her engine, however, is not of the best. Apart from Karteria, five more steam warships were ordered. Two of them entered Greek service before the war was over, but due to technical malefaction could not operate in battle, one blew up during trials and two were never completed and were left to rot on the Thames.