HMS Racer was a Nightingale-class cutter constructed for the Royal Navy in 1818, representing the third vessel to bear the name. Built at Pembroke Dockyard in Wales and launched on April 4, 1818, she was completed at Plymouth Dockyard by September 1819. The vessel measured 63 feet 9 inches (19.4 meters) in length at the gundeck and 47 feet (14.3 meters) at the keel, with a beam of 22 feet 2 inches (6.8 meters). Her draft was approximately 10 feet 5 inches (3.2 meters), and she had a depth of hold of 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 meters). The ship's tonnage was 122 tons burthen, indicating her size and cargo capacity. As a Nightingale-class cutter, HMS Racer was armed with a modest but effective armament consisting of two 6-pounder cannons and four 6-pounder carronades, suitable for patrol and escort duties. She carried a crew of 34 officers and ratings, reflecting her role as a relatively small, agile vessel designed for versatility in coastal and harbor operations. Her service history was brief; she was ordered in 1817, laid down later that year, and remained in service until she was broken up in 1830. Although specific notable events during her operational period are not detailed, her construction and design exemplify the typical features of early 19th-century naval cutters used for patrol, dispatch, and reconnaissance missions within the Royal Navy. Her relatively short service life suggests she was part of the post-Napoleonic fleet adjustments, serving during a period of maritime peacetime.

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