HMS Reynard (1821)HMS Reynard was a 10-gun built for the Royal Navy during the 1820s. She was converted into a packet ship in 1829.DescriptionThe 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. Reynard 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 237 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 careerReynard was ordered on 2 November 1818 and laid down in May 1820 at Pembroke Dockyard. The ship was launched on 26 October 1821 and was fitted out in November–December in ordinary. She was not commissioned until 18 December 1824. Reynard was converted into a packet ship in July–August 1829 and was assigned to the Falmouth packet service until she was paid off on 20 January 1837.