HMS Ferret was a Dutch hoy that the Admiralty purchased in 1794 for use as a gun-boat. It sold her in May 1802.

History
Great Britain
NameHMS Ferret
Acquired3 February 1794 (by purchase)
CommissionedMarch 1794
FateSold May 1802
General characteristics [1]
TypeHoy
Tons burthen66, or 68[2] (bm)
Length
  • 64 ft 1 in (19.5 m) (overall)
  • 57 ft 5+18 in (17.5 m) (keel)
Beam14 ft 6+34 in (4.4 m)
Depth of hold6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail plansloop
Complement30
Armament1 × 24-pounder gun + 3 × 32-pounder carronades

Ferret was commissioned into the Royal Navy in March 1794 under Lieutenant John Tucker for the Nore. In September Lieutenant James Boorder replaced Tucker. Lieutenant John Macredie replaced Boorder in June 1795 at Sheerness, but paid her off in February 1796.[1]

In March Ferret was transferred to the newly established Transport Board. In September Ferret returned to the Navy and was recommissioned under Lieutenant Nathaniel Stewart. Lieutenant Archibald Meheux replaced Stewart in November 1798

The "Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy" offered "Ferret Gun-Vessel, 68 Tons, lying at Portsmouth" for sale on 12 May 1802.[2] Ferret sold in May 1802.[1]

Citations edit

  1. ^ a b c Winfield (2008), p. 324.
  2. ^ a b "No. 15477". The London Gazette. 4 May 1802. p. 455.

References edit

  • Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.