HMS Growler was a Courser-class gun-brig built for the British Royal Navy at Northfleet and launched in 1797 as GB No.

In August Lieutenant John Hollingsworth replaced Wall.

Growler was escorting a convoy in the Channel on a moonless night when the two privateers approached.

They mistook her for a merchantman, ran close on either side and called on her to surrender.

Lieutenant Hollingsworth was shot and died in the ensuing struggle.