Ferret, 1812
Type: Gun-Brig ; Armament 14
Acquired : Taken 1812 ; Disposal date or year : 1820
Notes:

1812 Late US privateer Nova Scotia, captured by the Maidstone.

1813 Renamed Ferret.

Portsmouth 11 Jan 1813 Appointed to take convoy to the Downs.

Plymouth 2 Oct 1813 departed for Basque Roads.

Yarmouth 7 Dec 1813 arrived from a cruise.

Plymouth 11 Apr 1814 arrived from a cruise.

Portsmouth 21 Apr 1814 departed on a cruise in the Channel.

Portsmouth 15 Aug 1814 arrived from Havre de Grace.

Plymouth 4 Jul 1815 departed on a cruize.

11 Aug 1815 Has departed as a part of the Northumberlands' squadron, for St Helena.

St. Helena Circa 16 Oct 1815 arrived from England.

St Helena 27 Mar 1816 departed for England.

On her passage home it is reported that when crossing the Line, on 4 of Apr., she fell in with a ship under Spanish colours, the brigantine Dolores, with a cargo of slaves, which, upon her approach, fired into the Ferret killing two of her men. An action of over 3 hours ensued, and she eventually struck as Captain Stirling was preparing to board. The Ferret afterwards took her to Sierra Leone to be condemned. The Ferret had 4 men killed or who later died of their wounds. The lack of any long guns put her at a great disadvantage, being unable to use her guns until she had closed the Dolores.

Plymouth 15 June 1816 arrived from St. Helena, last from Sierra Leone.