Calypso sank whilst acting as a convoy escort on 30 July 1803 after colliding with a West Indiaman merchant ship during a violent storm.

Calypso was built to the same technical drawings as the five other Echo-class ships: Echo, Rattler, Brisk, Nautilus, and Scorpion.

[2] All use the same plans for frame,[3] Inboard profile,[4] Lines,[5] Stern,[6] and upper and lower decks Calypso was first commissioned in September 1783 under Commander Ralph Dundas for service on the Irish and Scottish stations.

After fitting for Channel service she sailed for Jamaica on 16 April 1787,[1] returning to home waters in 1790 and once more being placed in ordinary.

[1] On 30 July 1803, Calypso and the 74-gun Goliath were escorting a convoy of heavily laden West Indiamen from Jamaica.