HMS Frolic (1820)

HMS Frolic was a 10-gun built for the Royal Navy during the 1810s. She was converted into a packet ship in 1823 and was sold in 1838.

Description

The Cherokee-class brig-sloops were designed by Henry Peake, they were nicknamed 'coffin brigs' for the large number that either wrecked or foundered in service, but modern analysis has not revealed any obvious design faults. They were probably sailed beyond their capabilities by inexperienced captains tasked to perform arduous and risky duties. Whatever their faults, they were nimble; quick to change tack and, with a smaller crew, more economical to run. Frolic displaced and measured long at the gundeck. She had a beam of, a depth of hold of, a deep draught of and a tonnage of 235 tons burthen. The ships had a complement of 52 men when fully manned, but only 33 as a packet ship. The armament of the Cherokee class consisted of ten muzzle-loading, smoothbore guns: eight carronades and two guns positioned in the bow for use as chase guns.

Construction and career

Frolic was ordered on 13 June 1817 and laid down in June 1818 at Pembroke Dockyard. The ship was launched on 10 June 1820 and was fitted out from March to 3 August 1820 in ordinary at Plymouth Dockyard. She was converted into a packet ship from March to 15 June 1823 and commissioned the following month. Frolic was assigned to the Falmouth packet service until she was paid off on 25 November 1832. The ship was sold out of service on 16 August 1838.