HMS Firm (1804)

HMS Firm was a 12-gun Archer-class gun-brig of the Royal Navy, built by Josiah and Thomas Brindley at Frindsbury, Kent, and launched on 2 July 1804.

Service history
Firm was first commissioned by Lieutenant Collett in 1805, and stationed at The Downs. On 23-25 April 1805 she formed part of a large British squadron off Boulogne that captured eight Dutch armed schuyts (No.'s 43, 44, 45, 48, 52, 54, 57, and 58) and the unarmed Transport No.3., for which Firm received her share of prize money.

Command of Firm was assumed by Lieutenant John Little in August 1808, under the orders of Commodore Philippe d'Auvergne, and the ship was stationed at Guernsey for the protection of the Channel Islands.

On 15 October 1809 she captured the Danish ship Dageragg.

On 20 April 1810 the boats of Firm, HMS Surly (1806), and HMS Sharpshooter (1805), under the command of Lieutenant Hodgkins of Firm and Mr Lagaw, 2nd Master of Sharpshooter, cut out the French privateer cutter Alcide off Granville. The Alcide was moored under the protection of 400 troops on shore, who kept up an incessant fire while she was carried off. One man was killed and another wounded. In 1847 the Naval General Service Medal was awarded with the clasps "Firm 24 April 1810" and "Surly 24 April 1810".

On 12 March 1811 Firm witnessed the capture of HMS Challenger (1806) by a French frigate off Roscoff, but managed to escape.

On 28 June 1811, in company with the HMS Fylla (1807), he attacked two praam brigs off Granville, which were attempting to drive off boats which were reconnoitring, but were then unable to return to harbour. The praams were in water too shallow for Firm to approach and she was unable to engage them with much effect.

The following night, while wearing round to sail out of Cancalle Bay, Firm grounded at the top of high water. She was set on fire to avoid capture and Lt. Little, his officers and crew were taken to Jersey by Fylla. A court martial acquitted him of blame.