HMS Adonis was a schooner of her class serving in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, built in Bermuda from Bermudan cedar and completed in 1806. Her construction utilized durable local timber, which contributed to her seaworthiness. The vessel’s dimensions and specific technical specifications are not detailed in the provided content, but her design as a schooner suggests a rigging suited for agility and speed, ideal for reconnaissance and patrol duties. Commissioned in March 1806 under Lieutenant John Manton, Adonis primarily operated on the Newfoundland station. She underwent a conversion to a schooner at Portsmouth between late 1807 and early 1808. Her notable service includes the seizure of the Russian frigate Speshnoy in Portsmouth harbor in November 1807, following Russia’s declaration of war on Britain. This event marked her participation in a significant maritime conflict, sharing in the capture of the 44-gun Russian vessel alongside other British ships. Throughout her career, Adonis saw several commanders, including Sub-Lieutenant J. White, Lieutenant M'Killop, Lieutenant William Gibbons, and Lieutenant David Buchan. Under Buchan’s command in 1810, she participated in an expedition to the River of Exploits, establishing contact with the indigenous Beothuk people—a mission marked by tragedy when two marines were killed and decapitated during the inland march. In 1813, Adonis helped escort Newfoundland fishing fleets back to Britain, but her size proved a limitation when confronted by a French fleet near the Isles of Scilly; she escaped only by jettisoning her guns. She was placed in Ordinary at Portsmouth in 1814 and sold later that year for £400. As a mercantile vessel, she reappeared in Lloyd’s Register in 1821, trading between London and Africa, with indications of refurbishment including possible lengthening and the use of live oak and cedar. Her maritime career ended when she was wrecked near the Maldives in June 1835 during a voyage from Mauritius to China. Her crew was saved, and the incident was noted for the humane conduct of the local authorities in the Maldives, who assisted in rescuing the survivors.

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