HMS Arrow ( 1796 ) Career . The " Arrow " and her sister ship " Dart " were " Two experimental vessels designed by Samuel Bentham , Esq . , at that time inspector - general of his majesty ' s naval works . They were in shape much sharper than vessels of war in general , and projected or raked forward , at each end like a wherry . Their breadth increased from the water - line upwards ; whereby it was considered that they would be stiffer , and less liable to overset than ordinary vessels . The decks were straight fore and aft , and the frames or ribs of less curvature than usual . They were constructed to carry twenty - four 32 - pounder carronade s upon the main deck , and were afterwards fitted to receive two more carronades of the same nature on each of their two short decks , which we may call the quarterdeck and forecastle . All these carronades were fitted upon the non - recoil principle . It is believed that both the Arrow and Dart subsequently took on board , for their quarterdecks , two additional 32s . They proved to be stiff vessels and swift sailers , but it was found necessary to add some dead wood to their bottoms , in order to make them stay better . Not knowing exactly what characteristic designation to give the Arrow and Dart , we have merely named them : they must be considered , especially when their force is compared with that of the two or three classes next above them , as extraordinary vessels for sloops of war , but as such only they ranked . " In 1799 " Arrow " was commanded by Nathaniel Portlock . On 9 September 1799 she captured the Dutch ship " Draak " , at anchor in the narrow passage between Vlie and Harlingen . She was also involved in the wreck and attempted salvage of the , which sank on 9 October 1799 carrying a large cargo of gold . On 25 July 1800 was part of a squadron that also included , , " Arrow " , and the hired armed lugger " Nile " , when it encountered the Danish frigate HDMS " Freja " , which was escorting a convoy of two ships , two brigs and two galliot s . Captain Baker of " Nemesis " hailed her and said that he would send a boat to board the convoy . The Danish captain refused , and said that if a boat approached he would fire on it . Baker sent a midshipman and four men in a boat , and the Danes fired several shots , which missed the boat , but one of which killed a man on " Nemesis " . " Nemesis " then opened fire with her broadside . After an engagement of about 25 minutes , " Freja " , much damaged , struck . She had suffered eight men killed and many wounded ; both " Nemesis " and " Arrow " each suffered two men killed and several wounded . The British brought " Freya " and her convoy into the Downs on 6 March . They later released her , and presumably the rest of the convoy . This incident led to strained relations with Denmark , and , in order to anticipate any hostile move from Copenhagen , the British government despatched Earl Whitworth in August on a special mission to Copenhagen . The Danes not being ready for war , his mission staved off hostilities for about a year . In 1807 , after the second battle of Copenhagen , the British captured " Freja " and took her into the Royal Navy as HMS " Freya " . In 1801 she participated in the Battle of Copenhagen . Fate . " Arrow " was captured and sunk by the French frigate s " Incorruptible " and " Hortense " near Gibraltar on 4 February 1805 , while escorting a convoy .