HMS Hazard was a 16-gun Cormorant-class ship-sloop of the Royal Navy, built by Josiah & Thomas Brindley at Frindsbury, Kent. Launched in 1794, she was constructed as part of the initial batch of six ship-rigged sloops ordered in February 1793, shortly after the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars. Her design was a joint effort by Sir John Henslow and William Rule; she was laid down in May 1793, launched in March 1794, and completed at Chatham Dockyard by June of that year. Hazard's service history is marked by active engagement in numerous campaigns across the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Early in her career, she operated off Ireland, capturing privateers such as the French Terrible and Musette in 1796, and the French brig Hardi in 1797 after a seven-hour chase. Her crew also captured and engaged French, Danish, and American vessels, including the notable capture of the French warship Neptune in 1798 after a two-hour engagement, during which she suffered six wounded. Throughout her service, Hazard participated in blockades, convoy duties, and amphibious invasions, notably the invasion of Martinique in 1809, where her crew contributed to the defeat of a French squadron. She was also involved in the capture of the Îles des Saintes and engaged French privateers and ships along the French coast. Her actions in cutting out French vessels under fire and her participation in significant battles earned her and her crew multiple clasps to the Naval General Service Medal. Hazard underwent several command changes, including Commander William Butterfield and Commander Hugh Cameron, before being sold in 1817 for £1,010. Her operational career spanned over two decades, during which she demonstrated versatility and effectiveness in various naval roles, contributing notably to Britain’s maritime dominance during her era.

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