HMS Colibri was originally the French naval brig Curieux-class vessel, launched in 1808. She was armed with fourteen 24-pounder carronades and two 8-pounder guns, and had a crew of approximately 92 men. In her early service, she was commanded by lieutenant de vaisseau Deslandes, sailing from Havre to Cherbourg, and then to San Domingo. Her French service concluded when she was captured by the British Royal Navy on 16 January 1809 off Barbuda by the ship Melampus, under Captain Edward Hawker. During the engagement, Colibri put up a spirited fight, resulting in three killed and eleven wounded before striking her colors. After her capture, the Royal Navy took her into service under her existing name. She was commissioned in October 1809 under Lieutenant Henry Jane, who was promoted to Commander in May 1810, with subsequent command passing to Commander John Thomson. During her British service, Colibri operated primarily on the North American station, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Colibri’s service was marked by numerous captures and missions against American and privateer vessels during the War of 1812. Notably, she captured the American slaver Carolina in March 1811, freeing 204 slaves, and shared in the capture of the Spanish vessel Empressa. She also carried important diplomatic messages, including news of the repeal of the Orders in Council and the declaration of war, between Halifax and New York in 1812. Throughout 1812 and early 1813, she was active in capturing privateers and merchant vessels, including the schooner Gleaner and the privateer Catherine, as well as smaller privateers off Cape Sable. In August 1813, while blockading the U.S. coast along South Carolina, Colibri grounded in Port Royal Sound during a retreat from the coast. Despite efforts to free her, she ultimately foundered on 27 August 1813 due to a hurricane, with her crew rescued safely by the vessel Moselle. Her loss marked the end of her service, and her court martial acquitted her crew of any blame for her sinking.

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