HMS Tickler was a Conquest-class gunbrig launched in 1794, constructed as a small, maneuverable warship designed for coastal and shallow water operations. She had a tonnage of approximately 150 tons and was equipped with copper-bottomed hull plating, which helped reduce biofouling and maintain speed during her service. Commissioned initially in February 1795 by Lieutenant James Gomm, Tickler served as part of Sir Sidney Smith's squadron. During her early service, she was involved in notable activities, including a confrontation at the Îles Saint-Marcouf in July 1795, where tensions among officers escalated into mutinous conduct, leading to the confinement of several officers, though Sir Sidney Smith later noted that he had shown leniency. Recommissioned in August 1797 by Lieutenant John Johnson and later commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Williams, Tickler underwent significant refitting between March and June 1798 at Portsmouth, during which she was coppered and converted into a brig, enhancing her durability and performance at sea. One of her notable rescue missions occurred on 7 August 1799 when she, under Lieutenant Williams, rescued the crew of the capsized Swedish vessel Carolina in the English Channel off Poole. The Carolina was on a voyage from Ystad, Sweden, to Dublin, and her crew was safely saved by Tickler’s crew. In 1801, Tickler was part of the fleet assembled for the planned attack on Copenhagen. Although she participated in the fleet’s movements, she does not appear in the medal roll for the Copenhagen 1801 clasp. During the fleet's dispersal in a storm in March 1801, Tickler was towed by the gun-brig Russell, which grounded but was later refloated with her crew’s efforts. By May 1802, the Admiralty offered Tickler for sale at Portsmouth, and she was sold on that day, marking the end of her naval service. Her career highlights include her active participation in the French Revolutionary Wars, rescue operations, and fleet movements during a critical period of maritime conflict.

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