HMS Ceres was an 18-gun sloop launched in 1777 for the British Royal Navy that the French captured in December 1778 off Saint Lucia.

The British Admiralty ordered her in 1774 with the requirement that her design follow that of HMS Pomona, the 18-gun French sloop-of-war Cheveret,[1] which the Royal Navy had captured on 30 January 1761 and that had disappeared, presumed foundered, during a hurricane in 1776.

[6] On 9 March, near Barbados, Ariadne and Ceres encountered two vessels belonging to the Continental Navy, Raleigh and Alfred.

Shortly after noon the British men-of-war caught up with Alfred and forced her to surrender after a half an hour's battle.

[7] On 24 March west of Barbados, Ariadne and Ceres captured the brig Fair Trade.

After a chase of 48 hours, Dacres was forced to strike to Iphigénie as Sagittaire was only three miles (5 kilometres) astern and closing.

Barrington decided to take her into service as HMS Surprize as she was a fast sailer and he had just been informed that the French had captured Ceres.

In October, Ceres participated in the attempt by French and Continental Army to retake Savannah.

[13] In September, Cérès arrived at Cadiz as a member of a squadron under Guichen that escorted 95 merchant vessels back from the West Indies.

On 7 November, Admiral the Comte d'Estaing sortied from Cadiz with the Franco-Spanish fleet there.

[14] In the wake of the battle of the Saintes (took place 9–12 April 1782), Admiral Rodney detached HMS Champion, under the command of Captain Alexander Hood.

[15] On 19 April the British squadron sighted five small French warships and gave chase to them, capturing four, including Cérès.

[18] An all-day chase ensued until about 9 p.m. when one of the frigates got within pistol-shot and fired a broadside that shot away Raven's main topgallant-mast.