Ambuscade, 1773
Type: 5th rate ; Armament 32
Launched : 1773 ; Disposal date or year : 1810
Notes:

Between April and June 1797 captured the French privateer Buenaparte on the West Indies station.

29 Nov 1798 arrived at Spithead with a prize, the French vessel L'Hirondel, 20, and 50 men, late from Isle de France.

13 Dec 1798 the Ambuscade, when in company with the Phaeton and Stag, captured the letter of marque brig Faucon, 200 tons, 46 days from Guadaloupe, bound to Bourdeaux, with sugar and coffee &c. Naval Chronicle p. 77 Vol. 1, 1799.

14 Dec 1798 captured by the French 28-gun frigate Baïonnaise.

Ambuscade 4 Feb 1799, Plymouth, letters from Rochfort, of 20 Jan brought by a cartel, state, that Captain Jenkins, and Lieutenant Sinclair, of marines, were in a fair way.

28 Aug 1799 Portsmouth on Monday last a Court Martial was held on board the Gladiator, for the trial of Captain Henry Jenkins, late of the Ambuscade, his officers and ship's company, for the loss and capture of the said ship, in an action with the enemy in December last. After three days investigation the Court pronounced the acquittal of Captain Jenkins and his officers, for having their ship captured, which was occasioned by a most rapid succession of unfortunate events: by having the mizen-mast carried away by the enemy's bowsprit — by the wheel being rendered useless, and the tiller ropes broken - by the bursting of a gun, which wounded 11 men — by the blowing up of some powder and cartridges, which blew out the stern of the ship, carried away the jolly-boat which was hung over it, and wounding seven men — by the Captain being most dangerously wounded, and carried below — by the First Lieutenant being killed, also the Master and 11 men — by the Lieutenant of Marines being twice wounded, together with 39 men by the ship being on fire — by the explosion of the powder and cartridges - by the 2d Lieutenant being away in a prize, with several men, and the ship already being many short of her complement. After paying a just tribute to part of the ship's company, for their heroic exertions, particularly Mr. Penny, a Midshipman, about 15 years old, the Court passed some censure on the other part of the crew, for not having shewn that intrepidity, so deservedly the characteristic of British seamen, and so conspicuously shewn by some of their own men, Mabony, Hodgson and a few others. But as the evidences could not well establish those who did not behave well, and the Court fearful of involving the innocent with the guilty, acquitted the whole ship's company. Poor Captain Jenkins, from the dreadful wound he received looked extremely ill. All those who heard the trial were happy to hear him acquitted, and considered the sentence a very proper and just one.

Circa Jan 1800, Captain Talbot, of the Eurydice, is appointed to the Ambuscade, at Plymouth.

11 Sep 1800, in Hamoaze.

9 Sep 1800, Plymouth, in Hamoaze, fitting for Sea.

19 Nov 1800, Plymouth, sailed for Jersey, Ambuscade, 44, to take in the stores saved from the Havick and Pelican.

23 Nov 1800, Plymouth, arrived from Jersey with the officers and crews of the Havick, 18 ; and Pelican, 16, in St. Aubyn's Bay. Their description of the storm is dreadful : for nearly six hours, after all their masts were gone, they were exposed to the drifts of a sea running mountain high, which made so clear a breach over each ship, that the Officers and crews expected every moment would be their last ; providentially the tide, which had risen thirty-two feet perpendicular, suddenly receded, and the Officers and crews saved their lives, but lost ail their property. The Havick is a total wreck ; but the Pelican is towed along-side the Pier of St. Helier, though so much damaged that it is thought she cannot be repaired.

28 May 1803 the Victory re-captured French 32-gun frigate Embuscade (late British Ambuscade), which was restored to her rank in the British Navy.

19 Jul 1804 arrived off Toulon with transports bringing supplies from England.

26 Mar 1805 Ambuscade joined the Mediterranean fleet. 28 Mar victualled at Palma and on the 3 Apr sailed to water at Pulla bay, but on the 4th Phoebe reported that the Toulon fleet was at sea again : the search began again. 10 May by which date the Ambuscade no longer appears to be a part of Nelson's fleet and may have remained in the Mediterranean when he sailed for the West Indies ?