HMS Cameleon (or Camelion) was a Royal Navy Diligence-class brig-sloop, launched in 1795. She was built of fir (pitch pine), which allowed for rapid construction, but at the expense of durability. She captured some small vessels and a privateer, and served in the Mediterranean before being laid up in 1805, and broken up in 1811. French Revolutionary Wars Cameleon was commissioned in November 1795 under Commander Richard Bennet. Commander Richard R. Boyer replaced Bennet in February 1796. Boyer sailed Cameleon for the Mediterranean on 22 February. On 5 November 1796 Camelion captured Gustaf Frederick and eight days later Nostra Senora del Carmen. On 24 February 1797, Cameleon captured the French vessels Elizabeth and Trois Enfants. Two days later Cameleon captured By Geval. Between May and September, Lieutenant Viscount Falkland was acting captain of Cameleon. Boyer returned to command in November, and on 1 March 1798 was 10 leagues north of Guernsey when he sighted a cutter. Cameleon gave chase, but the wind was slight and the cutter's crew was able to row her to the safety under the guns on the Île de Batz. Boyer stated in his letter reporting the action that if he had had three more leagues he would have captured the cutter. Still, the next day, Cameleon was more fortunate. At 3am she sighted another cutter, gave chase, and an hour later captured the privateer Souffleur. Souffleur was armed with four guns and two swivel guns, and had a crew of 40 men. She was 13 days out of Cherbourg and had captured four British vessels, the masters of three of which were aboard. The four British merchant vessels were: Sloop Peggy, of Cardigan, James Prichard, master, which had been sailing from Dover to Penzance, with wheat and barley; Brig Camilla, John M'Kenzie, master, which had been sailing from Hull to Plymouth with cod; Delaval, Charles Mann, master, which had been sailing from Sunderland to Plymouth with coals; and Betsey, of Guernsey, Thomas Townsend, master, which had been carrying wine to Plymouth. Bowyer sent his prisoners into Portsmouth, and set off in chase of the privateer's prizes. In June 1798 Commander John Stiles became captain of Cameleon, replacing Bowyer. Cameleon spent the year cruising and escorting convoys. Around October 1798, Cameleons boats cut the sloop Four Friends out of the Havre roads. Four Friends had been sailing from Portsmouth to Deptford when the French captured her.