HMS Fury was a Swan-class ship sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in March 1779. As part of a class designed by Sir John Williams, she was among 25 vessels built between 1766 and 1780, and notably the first Royal Navy warship constructed in both Leith and Scotland during the 18th century. Her construction was undertaken by John Sime & Son at a new yard established at Sandport in Leith, a site later reclaimed for the Leith Custom House. Fury measured typical dimensions for her class, designed for agility and versatility, primarily performing anti-privateering duties during the American War of Independence. Her construction faced early challenges: during her launch in February 1779, a mishandling of supporting timbers caused her to become stuck on the slipway, resulting in a fatality and a delay until she was finally floated out on 19 March 1779. Her rigging was completed by May, and she was initially assigned to service in the English Channel, based at the Nore. Commander Alexander Agnew was appointed as her commander before her launch. Early in her service, Fury was involved in impressment operations and patrolling activities, including a search for the American privateer John Paul Jones. Notably, on 30 April 1780, she participated in a naval operation off Flamborough Head against French ships, but only one of the squadron's ships, Queen, engaged the enemy, which led to a court martial where Agnew was dismissed for neglecting orders. Subsequently, Commander Thomas Totty took command in June 1781, leading Fury to the Caribbean and engaging in prize-taking, including capturing the French brig Mercury in May 1782. Her service record includes notable actions against privateers and enemy vessels during her brief operational tenure. Fury was decommissioned and paid off in November 1784, and by March 1787, she was ordered to be broken up at Woolwich. Her short but active service underscores her role in maritime warfare during the late 18th century, and her construction marked a significant development as the first warship built in Leith during the period.

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