HMS Polecat

HMS Polecat was the Pennsylvania privateer Navarro, Captain William Keeler, which HMS Orpheus captured in March 1782.^[1] Between her commissioning on 18 July 1781 under Captain Woolman Sutton and her capture, Navarro captured two British vessels and recaptured one American vessel.^[1] One vessel that Navarro captured was Rebecca, M'Fadzean, master, which was sailing from Jamaica to London when Navarro captured Rebecca at 44°00′N 26°50′W, north of the Azores.^[2][a]

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Polecat
Namesake	Polecat
Acquired	1782 by purchase
Captured	1782
General characteristics
Tons burthen	100[1] (bm)
Propulsion	Sails
Armament	Pennsylvania: 10 guns Royal Navy: 14 guns

The Royal Navy purchased Navarre at Boston for £1097 3s 5d and took her into service as the 14-gun brig-sloop HMS Polecat. She was initially under the command of Lieutenant Edmund Nagle,^[4] but Lieutenant the Honourable Patrick Napier succeeded him.^[5][6] Two French frigates chased her off the coast of Virginia on 31 July 1782; Émeraude effected the actual capture.^[7] Polecat was taken into York River, Virginia about 13 August.^[1] Her subsequent disposition is unknown.^[8]

Notes

1. Rebecca, M'Fadz'n, master, Clark & Co., owner, of 280 tons (bm), had been launched in 1775 at Philadelphia.^[3]