Name SURPRIZE also spelled SURPRISE.
Early 1777 bought in Dover, U.K. by agents of the American Colonies.
Tonnage and dimensions unknown.
Armament 10 guns.
The intention was to use her as a despatch vessel.
Fitted out at Dunkirk, France.
Under command of Captain Gustvus Conyngham she sailed out from Dunkirk early May for a short commerce raiding campaign in the North Sea.
On 3-4 May 1777 she captured the British mail packet PRINCE OF ORANGE and the brig JOSEPH.
After placing prize crews on the vessels he sailed back to Dunkirk.
The French afraid of trouble with the English Government seized both prizes and the SURPRISE after arrival, and handed the two prizes back to their legal owners, and the SURPRISE to the British Government.
Conygham and his crew were imprisoned.
I am not for 100% sure she is the same vessel but I believe she is the same ship.
February 1780 purchased from mercantile by Royal Navy.
Tonnage 134 ton (bm), dim. 67.3 x 22.11 x 9.0ft.
Armament 10 – 3pdrs., increased by order of the Admiralty Board with 2 – 12pdr carronades.
30June 1780 8 - ½pdr swivels.
Crew 50.
1780 Commissioned under Lieut. Peter Rivett for the Downs squadron as HMS SURPRISE.
05 August 1781 took part in the Battle of the Doggersbank.
1780 Under command of Lieut. Robert Wilson.
May 1783 under command of Lieut. Henry Blaxton for the Channel.
April 1786 paid off.
30 October 1786 sold at Sheerness for £240.
Fate unknown.
St Lucia 1976 15c sg410, scott?
Source: The American Sailing Navy by Howard L Chapelle. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-u ... rprise.htm British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792 by Rif Winfield.