HMS Fly (1776)

HMS "Fly" was the fifth vessel built of the Swan Class of ship rigged sloop, of which twenty five of the class were built for the Royal Navy from 1766 to 1780.

"Fly", as with the entire Swan class, was designed by Williams and her construction was ordered by the Admiralty on 1 August, 1775 to be built at Sheerness Dockyard. The keel was laid in January, 1776, and launched on 14 September, 1776.

The Swan class of 6th Rate sloops were unusually attractive for the class of vessel, with not only very sleek hull lines but also an unusual amount of decoration for the size of vessel. They were built just before the Admiralty issued orders that all vessels (especially lesser rates) were to have the minimal amount of decoration and carvings to save any unnecessary costs, due to the seemingly ever continuing war with France and other nations.

There is little remaining about H.M.S. "Fly"'s operational career, but from what little evidence there is, "Fly" was commissioned mainly for convoy escort duty and dispatch duty. She did capture a French privateer, "Le Gleneur", off Portland after a long chase.

In 1800 she captured another French privateer, the cutter "Trompeur" off Le Hague.

"Fly" continued convoy duties until she foundered and was lost off Newfoundland in 1802.

The Swan Class measured 97' 7" on the gun deck and displaced 300 tons. They carried 125 officers and men and initially carried 14 guns (later 16) and 16 swivel guns.

The original plans of the "Fly" still exist, and a 1:64 scale historically accurate wooden model kit is based upon them, made by Victory Models, by Euromodels and Amati.