Hired armed cutter Kent

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Kent.

The Royal Navy employed two vessels described as the Hired armed cutter Kent.

• The first Kent served the Royal Navy from 22 December 1798 until 19 October 1801 when she was returned to her owners. Kent had a burthen of 131 13/94 tons (bm), and was armed with 12 12-pounder carronades. Between April and July 1799, Kent sailed in company with the 28 gun sloop HMS Arrow and the 14-gun brig-sloop Wolverine. Together, these three vessels captured a number of prizes. On 23 April they captured Blenie Rosetta. On 29 May they took Active and Providence. One month later, on 28 June, they captured five fishing boats. Then on 13 July they captured the Altona. Three days later they captured the Antony Wilhelm. Lastly, on 29 July, they captured the Nancy. (On 20 January 1803 prize money resulting from the capture of the Blenie Rosetta, Active, Providence, five fishing boats, Altona, Antony Wilhelm and Nancy was due for payment.) On 27 November 1799, under Lieut. William Lanyon, Kent captured the French lugger privateer Four Brothers. Four Brothers was under the command of Citizen Charles Desobier and carried four 4-pounders, swivels, small arms, and a crew of 24. She was one day out of Calais and had yet to take any prizes. In July 1800, Kent, under Lieut. Robert Baron Cooban, participated in the Raid on Dunkirk that resulted in the cutting out of the French frigate Désirée. During the action, Kent, together with the gun-brig Biter and the Hired armed cutter Ann, engaged some French gunboats and prevented them from intervening. During the action, each of these three British vessels suffered one man wounded.

• The second Kent served from 23 to 29 September 1804 when she was returned to her owners. She had a burthen of 121 tons (bm). On 9 March 1805, a Kent, under the command of Robert Hosier and of 121 tons burthen and 12 12-pounder cannon, received a Letter of Marque.

References

• James, William (2002 [1827]). The Naval History of Great Britain, Volume 3, 1800–1805. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-907-7. 
• Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 1861762461.