French brig Phaeton (1804)

The French brig Phaeton was a Palinure-class brig launched in 1804. The British captured her in 1806 and renamed her HMS Mignonne. In 1807 they renamed her HMS Musette. She was sold in 1814.

Capture
On 6 March 1806, HMS Pique (1800), under the command of Captain Charles B.H. Ross, was sailing from Santo Domingo to Curacoa when she encountered two French navy brigs. At 1pm, Pique began firing at long range, and by 2pm had caught up with them. After an intensive cannonade that lasted some 20 minutes, Pique was able to send a boarding aboard one of the two French vessels. A terrible struggle ensued before the French vessel struck. The French crew had concealed themselves under sails and in the wreckage, emerging once the boarding party arrived and subjecting it to a devastating fusillade that killed or wounded most of the boarding party. Ross then sent over more men, before returning to the chase of the second brig. After the exchange of several more broadsides, the second French vessel struck.

The two vessels turned out to be the sister-ships Phaéton and Voltigeur, both armed with 16 guns and having crews of 120 men and 115 men. They were under the command of Lieutenants de Vaisseau Saulces de Freycinet and M. St. Craig. Pique had one man wounded during the chase, and nine men killed and 13 wounded during the boarding of Phaeton. Ross estimated that the French vessels had lost half their crews dead and wounded. Phaéton was sailing on a mission to the Antilles when she was captured. Later reports suggested that although French casualties on Phaeton had been heavy, those on Voltigeur were slight.

The two brigs had encountered HMS Reindeer (1804) the day before and engaged in a four-hour exchange of fire before escaping. During that engagement they had suffered damage and possibly casualties.

The British took Phaeton into service as Mignonne, and Voltigeur as Pelican. In 1847 the Admiralty awarded the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Pique 26 March 1806" to all surviving claimants from the action.

British service
The British commissioned Mignonne under Commander Robert Nicholson. In August Commander George Gustavus Lennox replaced Nicholas.

The Admiralty then renamed her HMS Musette and in October 1807 Commander Peter Douglas took command. In 1808 Commander Henry Boys replaced Douglas. In 1809 Commander J. Lloyd assumed command. In December Commander Thomas P.J. Parry replaced Lloyd. He sailed her to Britain and she arrived at Portsmouth on 30 June 1810. There she was placed in ordinary.

Fate
The Admiralty offered Musette for sale at Portsmouth on 9 June 1814. She was finally sold on 1 September 1814 for £400.