HMS Avenger was a 16-gun ship-sloop of the British Royal Navy, with a notable history rooted in her previous service as a French privateer and naval corvette. Originally launched as the French privateer Marseillaise, she was a 300-ton vessel armed with 16 guns, operating out of Martinique. Known for her swift and aggressive privateering activities, Marseillaise was involved in capturing vessels such as the Harpooner and two Dutch ships from the West Indies, as reported in Lloyd's List in August 1793. She also captured Fame, which was later recaptured by the Royal Navy. In January 1794, the French Navy acquired her and renamed her Vengeur. She was stationed at Martinique during the British landings under Admiral Sir John Jervis in February 1794. Shortly after, on 17 February, British forces captured Vengeur at St Pierre, Martinique. The vessel was then commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Avenger, initially under Lieutenant James Milne. She participated in a notable cutting-out expedition on 17 March 1794, in which boats from her crew captured the French frigate Bienvenue at Fort Royal Bay. During this action, Lieutenant Milne was killed, and command passed to Lieutenant Henry William Bayntun. Under Bayntun's command, Avenger was active in the capture of Guadeloupe in April 1794. He remained in command until May 1794, after which Edward Griffith took over. Griffith brought Avenger back to Portsmouth in September 1794. She served in various capacities, including qualifying for prize money for vessels captured in the Caribbean between 1794 and 1795. In 1798, she was officially registered as HMS Avenger but was not fitted for further sea service. The vessel remained under the Admiralty until she was sold on 9 September 1802. Her service record reflects her active involvement during the French Revolutionary Wars, notably in the Caribbean campaigns, and her transition from privateer to Royal Navy vessel highlights her maritime significance during this tumultuous 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.