Experiment was one of 12 small vessels that the Navy Board purchased pursuant to an Admiralty Order dated 6 March 1794.

The aim was to expend the vessels as fire ships.

None was used as a fire ship; instead, most served with Sir Sidney Smith's squadron off the coast of France.

[1] Experiment was commissioned under Mr. James Stewart in June 1794.

[1] The Board of Commissioners and Principal Officers of the Navy offered Experiment, of 85 tons burthen, copper-sheathed and fastened, and laying at Woolwich for sale on 16 December 1801.