HMS Tigress was a Courser-class gun-brig constructed for the British Royal Navy at King's Lynn, laid down in 1797 initially as GB No. 45 before being renamed Tigress on August 7 of the same year. She had a displacement of approximately 168 tons, indicative of her size and intended role as a small, maneuverable vessel suitable for coastal and patrol duties. Commissioned in November 1797 by Lieutenant John Wyatt, Tigress quickly became active in significant military operations. She participated in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799, notably in the capture of Dutch hulks and ships in the New Diep on 28 August 1799. Her involvement in these actions earned her a share of the prize money. She was also present at the Vlieter Incident on 30 August, a notable event during the campaign. In 1800, command transferred to Lieutenant William H.B. Tremlett, and Tigress became part of the North Sea Fleet. Her service continued into 1801 with Lieutenant William Davies taking command in the Baltic. During this period, she was involved in operations near Étaples, where her crew participated in an attack on wrecked vessels, including engaging enemy ships and setting fires on coastwise targets. The engagement involved boats from HMS Jamaica and other vessels, with Tigress herself sustaining only minor casualties—a single man slightly wounded. Throughout her brief service, HMS Tigress was recognized as an active participant in key naval operations, including the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, although Admiral Lord Nelson noted misconduct among the officers of the Tigress and her sister gun-brigs, though specific details are unclear. Her naval career concluded when she was offered for sale at Sheerness on 20 January 1802, and she was subsequently sold later that month. The Tigress's service exemplifies the versatility and tactical utility of small gun-brigs in late 18th and early 19th-century naval warfare, particularly in coastal and blockade operations.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.