HMS Ariel (1777)

HMS Ariel was a 20-gun Sphinx-class sixth-rate post ship of the Royal Navy. The French captured her in 1779, and she served during the American Revolutionary War for them, and later for the Americans, before reverting to French control. Her French crew scuttled Ariel in 1793 to prevent the British from recapturing her.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Ariel and USS Ariel.

History
Great Britain
NameHMS Ariel
Ordered3 July 1776
BuilderJohn Perry & Co, Blackwall Yard
Laid downJuly 1776
Launched7 July 1777
Completed12 August 1777
CommissionedJuly 1777
CapturedBy the French Navy on 10 September 1779
France & US
NameAriel
AcquiredCaptured on 10 September 1779
Out of serviceLent to the Continental Navy between October 1780 and June 1781
FateBurnt in March 1793
General characteristics
Class and type20-gun Sphinx-class sixth-rate post ship
Displacement650 tons (French)
Tons burthen43519⁄94 (bm)
Length
  • 108 ft (32.9 m) (gundeck);
  • 89 ft 5 in (27.3 m) (keel)
Beam30 ft 3 in (9.2 m)
Depth of hold9 ft 7+1⁄2 in (2.9 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement
  • British service:140
  • French service: 130 (peace) and 210 (war)
Armament
  • British service:20 × 9-pounder guns
  • French service:2 x 4-pounder + 4 x 3-pounder guns added to the galliards
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