HMS Viper (1777)

HMS Viper was a 14-gun Swan-class sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in 1777. She was designed by Sir John Williams and built at Sheerness Dockyard. The Viper served during the American Revolutionary War.

Her service saw her involved in patrolling the waters around the British Isles and the North American coast. Like other ships of her class, she was primarily used for convoy escort and anti-privateering duties. Specific details of her engagements and captures are limited in available historical records, though it is likely she participated in the general naval activity of the period.

The Swan-class sloops were noted for their seaworthiness and speed, making them effective vessels for their intended roles. They were armed with fourteen 6-pounder guns and carried a complement of approximately 125 officers and men. The Viper was typically commanded by a Lieutenant.

The ultimate fate of HMS Viper is unclear, with some sources indicating she was sold out of service or otherwise disposed of after a relatively short career. Further research is needed to confirm the exact details of her decommissioning.