HMS Reynard was a Cherokee-class brig-sloop of the Royal Navy, built during the early 1820s. Constructed at Pembroke Dockyard, she was ordered on November 2, 1818, and launched on October 26, 1821. The vessel measured approximately 90 feet 2 inches in length at the gundeck, with a beam of 24 feet 8 inches and a depth of hold of 11 feet. Her deep draught was 9 feet 4 inches, and she displaced around 297 long tons. The ship's tonnage was recorded at roughly 23.77 tons burthen. Reynard had a crew complement of 52 men when fully armed but operated with only 33 during her service as a packet ship. The armament of HMS Reynard comprised ten muzzle-loading, smoothbore guns, including eight 18-pound carronades and two 6-pound guns positioned at the bow for chase purposes. As a Cherokee-class vessel, she belonged to a class designed by Henry Peake, often called 'coffin brigs' due to their high casualty and wreck rates, although modern analysis suggests no inherent design flaws. These ships were characterized by their agility, quickness in changing tack, and economical operation with smaller crews—traits that made them suitable for a variety of roles, despite their reputation. Initially commissioned on December 18, 1824, Reynard served in the Royal Navy before being converted into a packet ship in July–August 1829. Following her conversion, she was assigned to the Falmouth packet service, where she operated until she was paid off on January 20, 1837. Her service as a packet ship involved carrying mail and passengers, highlighting her versatility beyond her original naval combat role. HMS Reynard's design and operational history reflect the adaptability of Cherokee-class vessels and their importance in early 19th-century maritime communication and defense.

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