HMS Alligator (1787)

Plan showing the quarterdeck and forecastle of the Alligator
History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Alligator
Ordered	7 May 1782
Builder	Philemon Jacobs, Sandgate
Laid down	December 1782
Launched	18 April 1787
Completed	By 18 July 1790
Honours and awards	Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt"[1]
Fate	Sold on 21 July 1814
General characteristics [2]
Class and type	28-gun Enterprise-class sixth rate frigate
Tons burthen	59942⁄94 bm
Length	120 ft 6 in (36.7 m) (overall) 99 ft 5 in (30.3 m) (keel)
Beam	33 ft 7+1⁄2 in (10.2 m)
Depth of hold	11 ft (3.35 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	200
Armament	Upper deck: 24 × 9-pounder guns QD: 4 × 6-pounder guns + 4 × 18-pounder carronades Fc: 2 × 18-pounder carronades

HMS Alligator was a 28-gun Enterprise-class sixth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was originally ordered during the American War of Independence but was completed too late to see service during the conflict. Instead she had an active career during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Commissioned during the last few years of peace prior to the outbreak of war with France, Alligator served in British waters, making trips as far afield as the Mediterranean and the North American coast. During the period of conflict that began in 1793, Alligator spent a considerable amount of time in the West Indies under a number of commanders, and was effective in anti-privateer operations. Despite this she was laid up for a period starting in 1795, and was reduced to a 16-gun troopship in 1800. Further service followed in the West Indies, supporting the fleet and army movements around the islands, and taking part in the capture of several French frigates. She was again laid up, and as the end of hostilities approached, was deemed surplus and was sold in 1814.