The French cutter Mutin was a 14-gun vessel launched in 1778 as the lead ship of her class of five naval cutters. Constructed for the French Navy, she was a relatively small yet well-armed vessel designed for coastal patrol, escort, and privateering duties. Her physical specifications are not detailed in the provided source, but her armament configuration included 14 guns, which was typical for cutters of her size and purpose during that period. Mutin’s service history began with her launching in 1778, and she quickly played an active role in naval engagements. Notably, on 17 August 1779, she accepted the surrender of the British cutter Active in the English Channel, indicating her involvement in the ongoing conflicts of the era. Her capture came on 2 October 1779 when HMS Jupiter dismasted her during combat, leading to her being taken into Royal Navy service under the name HMS Mutine. She was fitted at Portsmouth between November 1779 and December 1780, and commissioned in October 1779 under Lieutenant Samuel Cox for service in the North Sea. During her time with the Royal Navy, HMS Mutine participated in multiple actions, including the capture of the French privateer General Ville Pateaux on 30 December 1780, shared with other cutters. She continued her active patrols under various commanders, capturing privateers such as the lugger Compte de Valentinois in October 1782. Her service extended to the Mediterranean, where she was assigned to support Royalist operations and assist in the siege of Genoa in 1800. In 1798, she was renamed Pigmy, under which she continued active service. Her engagements included recapturing vessels, capturing privateers such as Rancune in January 1799, and participating in operations along the Italian coast, including the destruction of the town of Cesenatico in August 1800. She also took part in the Egyptian campaign of 1801, earning the "Egypt" clasp to the Naval General Service Medal. Pigmy’s operational history was marked by frequent captures of enemy vessels and support in major campaigns, illustrating her versatility and importance in British naval efforts. Her service concluded when she was wrecked on 10 August 1805 in Saint Aubin, Jersey, with no loss of life, after striking a rock during her departure. Her crew evacuated her stores and guns before she sank, and a court martial later acquitted her officers and crew of blame for the wreck.

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