HMS Maria (1776)

HMS Maria was a Swan-class ship sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in 1776. She was commissioned during the American Revolutionary War and saw active service in the Caribbean and along the North American coast.

Maria was built by Henry Adams at Bucklers Hard. As a Swan-class sloop, she was designed for both speed and maneuverability, making her well-suited for patrolling coastal waters, escorting convoys, and engaging enemy vessels.

During her service, Maria participated in various naval operations and engagements. She was involved in actions against American privateers and French warships. Her duties also included suppressing smuggling and maintaining order in British colonies.

The fate of HMS Maria is not definitively known from readily available historical records. Many vessels of this era were eventually sold out of service, wrecked, or lost at sea due to storms or enemy action. Further research of Admiralty records and contemporary accounts would be needed to determine her ultimate disposition.