HMS Charybdis (1809)

HMS Charybdis was a Royal Navy Cruizer-class brig-sloop built by Mark Richards and John Davidson at Hythe, and launched in 1809. She captured two American prizes during the War of 1812 before she was laid up in 1815 and sold in 1819.

Service
She was commissioned in September 1809 under Commander Robert Fowler, who sailed her for the Leeward Islands on 22 January 1810. On 20 April 1811 Commander James Clephan took command.

On 8 October 1812 Charybdis recaptured the brig William Rathbone. The Saucy Jack, an American privateer out of Charleston, had captured the William Rathbone, which had been armed with 14 guns and had a crew of 30 men. The Americans put a prize crew aboard. When Charybdis recaptured William Rathbone she returned the vessel to her officers and crew.

Then on 31 October Charybdis captured the American privateer schooner Blockade and her 66 man crew in the Sombrero Passage near Saba Rock. During the five-hour chase Blockade threw nine of her 10 guns overboard in an attempt to gain speed.

In September Charybdis sailed from Portsmouth with a convoy for Cork, and then went on to America via Halifax. She was present at the Battle of New Orleans and then sailed back to Britain with despatches.

Fate
Charybdis sailed from Portsmouth on 10 August 1815 and shortly thereafter was paid off at Deptford in 1815. She was laid up at Deptford until 1819. She was sold to Thomas Pittman on 3 February 1819 for £1,100.