HMS Trepassey (1779)

History
Massachusetts
Name	Wild Cat, or Wildcat
Owner	John Fisk et al. of Salem, Massachusetts
Launched	c.22 May 1779
Commissioned	22 May 1779
Fate	Captured 14 July 1779
Great Britain
Name	HMS Trepassey
Acquired	1779 by purchase post capture
Massachusetts
Name	Defense
Acquired	By purchase post capture on 17 May 1781
Fate	Captured 3 November 1782
Great Britain
Name	HMS Trepassey
Acquired	1782 by capture
Fate	Sold 1784
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen	34156⁄94 (bm)
Length	95 ft 4 in (29.1 m) (deck)
Beam	26 ft 0 in (7.9 m)
Depth of hold	26 ft 0 in (7.9 m)
Sail plan	Brig
Complement	Wild Cat:66-75 HMS:80
Armament	Wild Cat: 12 or 14 × 6-pounder guns HMS:14 × 6-pounder guns

HMS Trepassey, often spelled "Trepassy", was a 14-gun brig-sloop of the Royal Navy, formerly the American privateer Wildcat, launched and captured in 1779. The Royal Navy purchased her in 1779. USS Alliance captured Trepassey in 1781. She became the American merchant vessel Defence. In 1782 HMS Jason captured Defense, which the Royal Navy took back into service under her earlier name. The Navy sold her in 1784.