HMS Discovery was the consort ship of James Cook's third expedition to the Pacific Ocean in 1776–1780.

Like Cook's other ships, Discovery was a Whitby-built collier originally named Diligence when she was built in 1774.

After Cook was killed in a skirmish following his attempted kidnapping of Hawaiian leader Kalaniʻōpuʻu, Clerke transferred to the expedition's flagship HMS Resolution and John Gore assumed command of Discovery.

She returned to Britain under the command of Lieutenant James King, arriving back on 4 October 1780.

After returning to the Nore in 1780, Discovery was fitted out as a transport at Woolwich Dockyard, serving as such between December 1780 and May 1781.