HMS Viper was a 10-gun sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in 1777. Initially serving in the American Revolutionary War, Viper was captured by the French in 1779 but quickly recaptured by the British. The ship had a relatively short but eventful service history, being involved in various skirmishes and blockades during the conflict. Following the war, Viper was decommissioned and sold off in 1784, ending its naval career. The ship's design and armament were typical of sloops of its time, with a single gun deck and a complement of around 90 sailors and marines. HMS Viper's story provides insight into the role of smaller naval vessels in 18th-century warfare and the challenges they faced in combat and capture.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.