HMS Investigator was originally built as the mercantile vessel Fram in Sunderland in 1795, serving as a collier before being acquired by the Royal Navy in 1798. After purchase, she was renamed HMS Xenophon and initially armed with 22 carronades to serve as an escort vessel in the North Sea under Commander George Sayer. In 1801, the vessel was extensively refitted at Sheerness to serve as a survey ship, receiving modifications to accommodate scientific personnel, including additional cabins and space for botanical specimens, while her armament was reduced to two guns and eight carronades. Designed with a modest draft and ample cargo space, the vessel closely resembled the specifications recommended by Captain Cook for discovery voyages. She was a North-country-built ship of approximately 334 tons, with a form suited for exploration. Commanded by Lieutenant Matthew Flinders from 1801, she was renamed HMS Investigator and prepared for her historic circumnavigation of Australia. She set sail from Spithead on 18 July 1801, making stops at the Cape of Good Hope and later charting significant portions of the Australian coastline, including King George Sound, Kangaroo Island, and St Vincent Gulf. During her expedition, Investigator faced significant challenges; her wooden structure was found to be rotting and leaking extensively, with a projected lifespan of only six months. Despite her poor condition, Flinders completed the circumnavigation of Australia, though he had to jettison two anchors to lighten her. The voyage included notable encounters, such as a cordial meeting with the French vessel Géographe in 1802, and surveys of major ports and coastlines. After returning to Port Jackson in 1803, her condition led to her being decommissioned and used as a storeship. She was later repaired and re-rigged as a brig in 1804 under Lieutenant John Houston. In 1805, under Commander William Kent, Investigator was sent back to England with botanists and collections, facing storms and disease en route. Ultimately declared unseaworthy in Plymouth in 1806, she was sold in 1810 for breaking up. Privately rebuilt as a merchant vessel under her original name Xenophon, she continued sailing globally until her final voyage in 1853. She was eventually sold in Melbourne, converted into a storage hulk, and was officially broken up by 1872. Throughout her career, HMS Investigator/Xenophon made significant contributions to Australian exploration and maritime history.

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