The ship was a revival of the Coventry class, designed in 1756 by Sir Thomas Slade as a development of his HMS Lyme of 1748, "with such alterations as may tend to the better stowing of men and carrying for guns."

The design was slightly modified for the Hind and its projected sistership Laurel (which was cancelled after the builder went bankrupt).

After launch, Hind was completed at Deptford Dockyard from 1785 until 24 November 1787 but was not commissioned until May 1790, when she went into service under the command of Captain Alexander Cochrane until 1793.

In June 1797 command passed to Captain Joseph Larcom, who remained with her until she paid off from service following the Peace of Amiens.

[10] She was refitted at Frindsbury in 1804–1805, and recommissioned at Chatham in June 1805 under Captain Francis Fane for Mediterranean service.