Both ships were initially assigned to the Channel Squadron, but was transferred to the Mediterranean Squadron in 1864. The ships were rearmed in the late 1860s after the completion of their first commission. They alternated between assignments with the fleet and guardship duties with the First Reserve for the rest of their careers. "Resistance" was the first to be paid off in 1880 and was used as a target for gunnery and torpedo trials beginning in 1885. She was sold for ship breaking in 1898, but wrecked en route to the breaker's yard. was paid off in 1885 and she became a stationary training ship in 1890 until she was sold for scrap in 1935.