HMS Alert (1779)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Alert and French ship Alerte.

HMS Alert was an 18-gun cutter of the Royal Navy. She took part in the War of American Independence, where she was captured by the French Navy and brought into their service. She was part on the squadron under Grasse until a British frigate recaptured her.

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Alert
Builder	Dover[1]
Laid down	October 1778[1]
Launched	1 October 1779[1]
Fate	Captured by France, 25 September 1780
France
Name	Alerte
Acquired	by capture, 25 September 1780
In service	September 1780[1]
Fate	Recaptured by Great Britain, 28 November 1781[2]
Great Britain
Name	HMS Alert
Fate	Sold to break up at Deptford, October 1792
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen	110 (bm)
Length	24.0 metres [1]
Beam	7.6 metres [1]
Depth of hold	3.4 metres [1]
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	18 guns[1]

Service history

British career

Alert was built at Dover in 1779. She patrolled in the Gulf of Biscay until Diligente captured her on 25 September 1780 off the Gironde. The French brought her into service as Alerte.^[1]

French career

Alerte was attached to the squadron of Grasse, under Ensign Gallien de Chabons.^[1] She took part in the Battle of Fort Royal on 29 April and 30 April 1781.^[3][4][5]

On 28 November 1781, the 36-gun frigate HMS Perseverance recaptured her after a long battle.^[2] Auxiliary officer Galocheau was wounded and lost an eye.^[6]

Fate

Alert was sold to break up at Deptford in October 1792.^[1]

Notes