HMS Vixen (1865)

HMS Vixen was a Viper-class gunvessel of the Royal Navy launched in 1865. She was one of a class of six screw-propelled composite gunvessels designed by the Royal Navy's Controller's Department and built for coastal defence and service in shallow waters.

Vixen and her sister ships were armed with a variety of ordnance, typically including a mix of rifled muzzle-loading (RML) guns and lighter breech-loading pieces. Their design emphasized maneuverability in confined spaces, making them suitable for operations in estuaries, rivers, and shallow coastal areas.

Her active service primarily involved patrols and demonstrations of naval power in various regions. Detailed records of her operational deployments and specific engagements are limited, but vessels of her type often served in colonial waters to maintain British interests and enforce maritime law.

The Viper-class gunvessels, including Vixen, became obsolete with the advancement of naval technology in the late 19th century. The introduction of more heavily armed and armored vessels led to their withdrawal from frontline service. Details on the specific disposal of HMS Vixen are sometimes conflicting, with some accounts indicating she was scrapped while others suggest she may have been converted for other purposes within the Royal Navy or transferred to another entity. Determining her exact fate requires consulting primary historical sources.