Built in 1777, Surprise played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, participating in several naval engagements and capturing enemy vessels. The ship's most famous commander was Captain Charles Stewart, who led Surprise to numerous victories against French and American forces. Surprise was also involved in the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812 against the United States, showcasing its versatility and combat prowess. The ship underwent various modifications and repairs throughout its service, reflecting the evolving nature of naval warfare during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Highlighted in popular culture, Surprise gained further fame through the historical fiction novel series Aubrey-Maturin by Patrick O'Brian, where it is portrayed as the flagship of protagonist Captain Jack Aubrey.

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