HMS Eugenie was originally launched in 1800 at Ipswich under the name Friends, serving as a mercantile vessel primarily engaged in trade between London and Jamaica. She appeared in Lloyd’s Register in 1801 with T. Read as master and W. Thurlby as owner, with her trade route listed as London. Over time, her trade shifted to the London–Jamaica route, maintaining her merchant status until her acquisition by the Royal Navy. In June 1804, the British Admiralty purchased her, renaming her HMS Eugenie. She underwent fitting at Tibbott & Co., Thames, and Woolwich between May and August 1804. Commissioned in June under Commander Charles Webb, Eugenie was employed primarily in convoy duties and cruising operations. She notably made voyages to the Channel Islands ferrying troops. A significant event in her service was her departure from Spithead on 31 January 1805, carrying the Scottish explorer Mungo Park to the coast of Africa. By August 1805, she was back at Deal after her African voyage, having traveled via Portsmouth. By 1807, HMS Eugenie was placed in ordinary at Sheerness, indicating a period of reduced activity. She was offered for sale by the Navy’s Principal Officers and Commissioners on 22 December 1810 and was sold that same day. Following her sale, she reverted to mercantile service under the name Friends. Lloyd’s Register of 1811 lists her with new ownership by Sherwood and a master named Stevenson, operating on the London–Honduras trade route. An incident occurred in December 1823 when Friends, under master Smithson, went ashore at Holm Sand while sailing from Wyborg. She was subsequently refloated and arrived at Hull on 31 December 1823. The vessel continued in service until she was last listed in 1830, marking the end of her documented maritime career. Throughout her service, both as a Royal Navy vessel and a merchantman, HMS Eugenie/Friends contributed to early 19th-century naval and commercial maritime activities, including troop transportation, exploration support, and trade.

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