Investigator was built at Deptford Dockyard to a design by Henry Peake.

She was commissioned under Mr. George Thomas, for the North Sea and stationed at Hosely Bay.

In 1813 George Trickey (or Trickly), master, sailed her surveying Irish waters.

On 1 November 1825 Investigator was surveying the coast when North Sea gales stove in her bulwarks and washed away her boats.

However, Amity, Robinson, master, had with difficulty rescued the eight crew members of the tender, the cutter Star.