HMS Rover (1796) was a 16-gun brig-sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in 1796. She was the first of a class of brig-sloops that would bear her name.
Construction and Design Rover was built at Deptford Dockyard and launched on 14 May 1796. As a brig-sloop, she was designed for speed and maneuverability, suitable for reconnaissance, convoy escort, and patrolling duties. Her armament typically consisted of sixteen 6-pounder carronades and two 18-pounder carronades.
Service History Commissioned in 1796 under the command of Commander George Irwin, Rover entered service during the French Revolutionary Wars. Her primary role involved patrolling the waters around Great Britain and Ireland, as well as providing protection for merchant convoys. She operated in a period of intense naval activity, although no significant engagements involving Rover are recorded during her short career.
Loss HMS Rover's service was brief. On 18 December 1798, while on patrol, she was wrecked off the coast of Ireland, specifically near Ireland's Eye, a small island off Howth, County Dublin. The loss was attributed to severe weather conditions and navigational difficulties. Although the ship was lost, the majority of her crew were successfully rescued.