HMS Hardi (1797)
HMS "Hardi" was a French privateer built at Cowes c. 1795 that the Royal Navy captured in 1797 and sold in 1800. Florentin Lavallée commissioned "Hardi" at Brest in October 1796. She was armed with eighteen 8-pounder guns and had a crew of 130-164 men under the command of Captain Cousin. In February 1797 "Hardi", Captain Cousell, captured "Antelope". "Antelope" had been sailing from Charleston to London when she was taken. Late in March 1797 Vice-Admiral Lord Kingsmill received intelligence that a French cruiser had been seen off the Skellocks on the coast of  Ireland. Kingsmill dispatched on 28 March, and on 1 April "Hazard" found the French vessel. After a chase of seven hours, "Hazard" caught her quarry, but only because the privateer had lost both topmasts. The privateer was the brig "Hardi", of 18 guns and 130 men. (Another source gives her complement as 164 men.) "Hardi" had been built at Cowes, about two years earlier, for the Spaniards. "Hardi" had left Brest on 17 March and during her cruise had escaped two British frigates that had chased her. She had captured only one prize, a small Portuguese vessel of little value . "Hardi" arrived at Portsmouth on 16 April. The Navy acquired "Hardi", and classified her as a sloop of 18 guns. There is no record of her having active service. Notes, citations, and references. Notes Citations References