HMS Orpheus was a 32-gun fifth-rate frigate of the British Royal Navy. Built in 1780, the ship served during the American Revolutionary War, capturing several enemy vessels. Orpheus later participated in the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. The ship underwent several refits and repairs throughout its service, including being converted to a troopship in 1807. Orpheus was wrecked off the coast of Haiti in 1807, resulting in a significant loss of life among the crew and passengers. The incident was attributed to a combination of navigational errors, adverse weather conditions, and the ship's deteriorating condition. The wreck of HMS Orpheus has since been discovered and partially excavated by marine archaeologists, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding its tragic demise. The ship's legacy lives on through historical records, artifacts recovered from the wreck, and ongoing research efforts to learn more about its role in naval history.

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