HMS Carcass was an Infernal-class bomb vessel constructed for the Royal Navy, launched on 27 January 1759 from Stanton & Wells in Rotherhithe. Designed by Thomas Slade, the vessel was built at a cost of approximately £3,758, with an additional £2,145 spent on fitting out. Initially commissioned as a sloop at Deptford Dockyard, Carcass was commanded by Charles Inglis and participated in early operations including the bombardment of Le Havre on 3 July 1759. During her service, she captured the 10-gun Mercury off La Rochelle in 1760 and underwent multiple refits, notably in March 1760 and 1762, to enhance her capabilities. Throughout the 1760s, Carcass served in various theaters, including the Irish Sea and the Caribbean, under commanders such as Lord William Campbell, Thomas Jordan, and Mark Pattison. In October 1765, under Captain Pattison, she sailed to Jamaica, marking her involvement in colonial waters. Her service history includes periods of being paid off and refitted, reflecting her active operational status. A significant chapter in her history is her participation in Constantine Phipps’s Arctic expedition in 1773, after a comprehensive refit costing nearly £2,896. Notably, the young Horatio Nelson served aboard her as a midshipman during this expedition, which aimed to reach the North Pole. Nelson’s involvement is remembered for a story of him chasing a polar bear, emphasizing the vessel’s role in exploratory voyages. Following her Arctic service, Carcass continued her naval duties, including deployments along the African coast, North America, and the West Indies, under various commanders such as James Reid, Robert Dring, and Edward Edwards. After a lengthy service spanning over two decades, she was sold at Woolwich on 5 August 1784 for £320. The HMS Carcass remains notable for her role in both combat and exploration, contributing to Britain’s maritime and scientific endeavors in the 18th century.

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