HMS Helena (1778)

HMS Helena was a 14-gun sloop of the Royal Navy and briefly of the French Navy. Captured by the French Navy in August 1778 and recommissioned as the Hélene, she was recaptured for Great Britain by HMS Ambuscade on 22 June 1779. She ran aground on the Dutch coast on 3 November 1796 with the loss of all hands.

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Helena
Acquired	1778
Captured	France, September 1778
Fate	Wrecked, 3 November 1796
France
Name	French ship Hélene
Acquired	September 1778 by capture
Captured	Great Britain, 22 June 1779
General characteristics
Armament	14 guns

Service

Helena was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1778. (She may originally have been a French vessel named Hélene.) The French captured her in September 1778, and took her into service under her existing name, or perhaps as Helene.^[1] HMS Ambuscade recaptured her for the British on 22 June 1779.^[2] A storm drove her ashore on the Dutch coast on 3 November 1796; there were no survivors.^[3]