HMS Earnest was launched at Leith in 1805 as one of 48 later Archer-class gun brigs for the British Royal Navy. During her naval career Earnest captured five small privateers and numerous merchant vessels. In 1816 the Admiralty sold her and she became the merchantman Earnest. She continued to sail and was last listed in 1850. HMS Earnest In February 1805 Lieutenant Alexander Sinclair commissioned Earnest. Earnest shared with , , , , and in the proceeds from the recapture of Francis, Tucker, master, and Betsey on 14 and 15 September. Earnest was part of the Boulogne flotilla with , Minx, Mariner, and Griper, and so all shared in the proceeds of the recapture on 29 September of Rover, of Newcastle, Hillary, master. Lieutenant Richard Templar replaced Sinclair in 1806. On 14 April Ernest sent into Dover Gute Hoffnung which had been sailing from Hamburg to Caen. On 6 June Earnest was in company with when they captured Yonge Heinrick H.H. Berg, master. Then on 7 and 8 August, Earnest and captured Frau Teresta and a ship of unknown name. On 25 August 1806 Earnest captured Vrow Luckina, Caper, master. Between January and February 1809 Earnest underwent fitting by Pitcher, Northfleet. In May Earnest was in Wingo Sound where she captured two sloop-rigged privateers, Four Brothers (or Fire Bredere), of four guns and 22 men, and Mackarel (or Makrel), of two guns and 18 men. On 15 May and Earnest captured Diana, D'Lieb, and Livegierne. On 28 July Lloyd's List reported that Earnest had recaptured Vriendschap, Kok, master, which had been sailing to the Baltic when a Danish lugger had captured her. Vriendship arrived at Ystad. Earnest also recaptured Emanuel, Tygerfon, master. The prize money notice gives the name of Friendschaps master as L. H. Hok. A later notice gives the date of recapture for Emanuel as 28 September 1808, and that of Friendschap as 2 July 1809. On 28 July 1810, Earnest captured in the Kattegat a Danish privateer cutter of two guns and 13 men. On 2 October Earnest captured Walusten, and on 13 March 1811 Voranfsehende. This may have been the bark, from Norway, that Earnest captured off the Gallopper Sand. On 15 June 1811, Earnests yawl captured a French privateer schuyt of unknown name. The schuyt was armed with six guns and had a crew of 24 men, who escaped ashore. Then on 7 July Earnest