HMS Defender (1809)
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 Defender | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | Bon Marcel |
| Commissioned | 1809[1] |
| Captured | 10 December 1809 |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Defender |
| Acquired | 1809 by capture |
| Commissioned | January 1811 |
| Fate | Sold 1814 |
| General characteristics [2] | |
| Tons burthen | 13923⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 17 ft 2+1⁄2 in (5.2 m) |
| Depth of hold | 7 ft 4 in (2.2 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Lugger |
| Complement | 40 |
| Armament | 8 × 12-pounder carronades |
HMS Defender was the French privateer lugger Bon Marcel (Beau Marseilles in British records), that Royalist captured in 1809. Defender served without distinction in Home Waters for slightly more than three years before being sold in 1814.
Royalist captured Beau Marseille on 10 December 1809. She was armed with 14 guns, had a crew of 60 men and was three months old. Commander John Maxwell, captain of Royalist, described her as "a very beautiful vessel" and "one of the fastest sailers out of Boulogne."[3][a][b]
The Royal Navy took Bon Marcel into service as Defender. From 15 February to 16 March 1811 she underwent fitting out at Sheerness.[2]
In January 1811 Lieutenant Moses Cannadey commissioned her for The Downs.[2][c]
On 24 June 1813 Defender captured Hope.[5] Defender shared the prize money for Hoop with Decoy.[6]
