HMS Barbara was an Adonis class schooner of the Royal Navy, launched in 1806. As a small, agile vessel, she served primarily on North American and Baltic stations during the Napoleonic Wars. Under the command of Lieutenant Edward A. D'Arcey, Barbara initially operated in the West Indies, where her notable service included an engagement on 14 September 1807, when she was returning from Devils Island. During this encounter, Barbara was chased and captured by the French privateer Général Ernouf after a half-hour battle, suffering four killed and six wounded. The French then took her to Guadalupe and renamed her Pératy, planning to use her as a privateer. In July 1808, the French privateer Pératy, armed with twelve 18-pounder carronades and a crew of 90, was captured by HMS Guerrière after a 24-hour chase. The Royal Navy then purchased her at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and she was briefly renamed Somers before the Admiralty reverted her designation to Barbara. She was recommissioned under Lieutenant George Duncan in 1809 and later under Lieutenant William Douglas in 1812, serving on the North American station and later in the Downs. By 1812, under Lieutenant James Morgan, Barbara was active off Ireland and Boulogne, where she engaged French vessels and successfully repelled multiple attacks. She then joined Rear-Admiral George Hope's squadron in the Baltic, participating in various skirmishes and captures, including the destruction of a Danish signal station and engagement with Danish vessels such as Norge. During her Baltic service, Barbara captured or destroyed over 2,500 tons of shipping, including ships, galliots, and sloops, and took 136 prisoners. Barbara's notable actions included her involvement in the capture of several Danish vessels and her participation in skirmishes along the Baltic coast. After nearly a year of active service, she returned to Britain, was paid off in June 1814, and sold in February 1815 for £610. Her career highlights the versatility and combative role of schooners like Barbara in the Royal Navy during the early 19th century maritime conflicts.

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