  {|    |} the fifth hms enterprise (sometimes spelled enterprize), 28 guns, was the name ship of a class of twenty-seven sixth-rate frigates of the royal navy. enterprise was built at deptford royal dockyard, england, launched in august 1774, and was commissioned in april 1775 under the command of captain sir thomas rich. the enterprise served throughout the american revolutionary war as cruiser and convoy escort. on 7 june 1780, enterprise, under command of captain patrick leslie (not to be confused with patrick leslie), was at anchor in the bay of gibraltar with other ships of the royal navy. at about 1:30am, enterprise saw some vessels drifting toward the harbor. when they came within hailing distance, the
1774_ships Deptford-built_ships Sixth-rate_frigates_of_the_Royal_Navy