HMS Tigress was a gunbrig of approximately 229 tons, originally launched around 1801 in Baltimore as the American merchant vessel Numa. She was later acquired by the French, renamed Pierre Cézar, and armed as a letter of marque. Built for speed, she was equipped with two 6-pounder guns and four 18-pounder carronades, and was pierced for up to 18 guns, indicating her potential armament capacity. Her early service included transporting Irish passengers to the United States in 1803. In April 1808, she departed New York for Saint Barthélemy but arrived at Saint-Pierre, Martinique. French merchants purchased her, and she was fitted out as Pierre Cézar. Her speed was notable, with her American mate claiming that her overload prevented her from escaping a British frigate. She was captured by HMS Seine off the Spanish coast on 29 June 1808 after a lengthy chase, and the Royal Navy bought her for nearly £2,266. She was then fitted at Plymouth with fourteen 12-pounder carronades and commissioned in October 1808 under Lieutenant Robert Bones. HMS Tigress served prominently on the West Africa Squadron, where she participated in the capture of French privateers and anti-slavery patrols along the Senegal and Gambia coasts. Notably, she helped capture the French colony in Senegal in July 1809, which remained under British control until 1817. During her service, she lost both masts in a gale but continued her patrols, capturing ships such as Marquis de Romana, Elizabeth, and Portuguese vessels Paquette Volante and Urbano, freeing hundreds of slaves. In 1812, command transferred to Lieutenant William Carnegie, and she returned to Britain after nearly three years with the squadron, having seized almost 500 slaves and collected valuable cargo like ivory and gold dust. She later served in the Baltic in 1813 and was converted into a 14-gun cutter in 1814, being renamed Algerine. She continued her service until she was sold in 1818. Throughout her career, HMS Tigress played a significant role in anti-slavery operations and maritime patrols, exemplifying the Royal Navy's efforts during the early 19th century.

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