HMS Orpheus was a British Modified Lowestoffe-class fifth-rate frigate, armed with 32 guns, constructed during the early 1770s. Ordered on 25 December 1770 amid rising tensions with Spain over the Falkland Islands, her design was based on Sir Thomas Slade’s approved plan for the Lowestoffe class, later revised to feature a more rounded midship section. Built by John Barnard at Harwich, her keel was laid in May 1771, and she was launched on 7 May 1773 at a cost of approximately £12,655. After launching, she sailed to Sheerness Dockyard for fitting out, completing her preparations by 11 June 1773. Orpheus measured 130 feet on the gun deck and 108 feet 2.5 inches along the keel, with a breadth of 35 feet 1 inch—slightly wider than initially designed—and a hold depth of 12 feet 6 inches, displacing about 709 tons burthen. Her armament comprised twenty-six 12-pounder guns on the upper deck, four 6-pounder guns on the quarterdeck, two 6-pounder guns on the forecastle, and twelve small swivel guns. She was crewed by approximately 220 men. Commissioned in early 1773 under Captain John MacBride, Orpheus participated in the Spithead Review and then cruised the English Channel before being paid off into ordinary in August 1774. Recommissioned in July 1775 under Captain Charles Hudson, she was fitted at Plymouth and sailed for North America later that year. Her service included notable actions during the American Revolutionary War, such as the pursuit and destruction of the privateer Nancy in June 1776, which ran aground and was subsequently set ablaze. She also recaptured the privateer brig Lucy in 1777 and the Neptune in 1778. Ultimately, Orpheus was abandoned and burned at Rhode Island on 5 August 1778 to prevent her capture by French forces, marking her as a vessel of active service during a pivotal period of maritime conflict.

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