HMS Hussar was a sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, constructed in England between 1761 and 1763. She was part of the Mermaid class, a design developed by Sir Thomas Slade, and was armed with 28 guns. Her physical specifications, such as tonnage or dimensions, are not detailed in the provided content. Commissioned in August 1763 under Captain James Smith, Hussar initially operated near Cape Clear. By 1767, she was commanded by Captain Hyde Parker and continued her service off North America until 1771, when she was paid off into ordinary. After undergoing repairs and refitting at Woolwich from 1774 to 1777, she was recommissioned in July 1777 under Captain Elliott Salter. During her service, she was part of the British fleet in North America and played a role in carrying dispatches during the American Revolution. Hussar’s notable achievements include capturing the Spanish ship Nuestra Señora del Buen Confeso, armed en flute, on 20 November 1779. Her service was primarily centered around North American waters, where she contributed to British efforts during the Revolutionary War. Her maritime significance is underscored by her sinking in 1780 near New York. On 23 November 1780, during a voyage to move the army’s payroll to Gardiners Bay, her captain Charles Pole chose to navigate through the hazardous waters of Hell Gate. The ship was swept onto Pot Rock and sank in 16 fathoms of water. Although the Royal Navy court martial made no mention of valuables aboard, rumors of large sums of gold—estimated between $2 to $4 million—sparked numerous salvage attempts over the subsequent centuries. Efforts in the early 19th century, including those by Samuel Palmer using a diving bell, aimed to recover guns and ballast, and locate the rumored treasure. In modern times, a cannon from Hussar was discovered in Central Park in 2013, still loaded with gunpowder and shot, highlighting her enduring historical and cultural significance. The wreck of HMS Hussar remains a notable maritime artifact associated with the American Revolutionary War and shipwreck explorations in the New York area.

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