HMS Hermes (1796)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Hermes.

HMS Hermes was the Dutch cutter Mercuur, that the Amsterdam Admiralty purchased in 1781 or 1782. (Mercuur was a brig when captured.) HMS Sylph captured her off the Texel in the action of 12 May 1796 after a chase during which Mercuur threw all but two of her guns overboard.^[3]

History
Dutch Republic/Batavian Republic
Name	Mercuur
Launched	1781
Captured	12 May 1796
Great Britain
Name	HMS Hermes
Acquired	1796 by capture
Fate	Foundered 31 January 1797
General characteristics [1][2]
Type	brig-sloop
Tons burthen	210 (bm)[2]
Length	85 Amsterdam feet[a]
Beam	30 Amsterdam feet
Depth of hold	13 Amsterdam feet
Propulsion	Sails
Complement	Dutch service:150 At capture:85 Royal Navy:80
Armament	Dutch service: 12-24 guns At capture:16 guns British service: 14 × 24-pounder carronades + 2 × 6-pounder chase guns

The Royal Navy commissioned her in July 1796 under Commander William Mulso, for the North Sea.^[2]

Hermes disappeared during a gale on 31 January 1797.^[2] She was presumed to have foundered with all hands.^[4]

Notes

1. All linear measurements are in Amsterdam feet (voet) of 11 Amsterdam inches (duim) (see Dutch units of measurement). The Amsterdam foot is about 8% shorter than an English foot.