HMS Resistance was a 36-gun fifth-rate Aigle-class frigate of the Royal Navy, one of a pair designed by Sir John Henslow.

Resistance was commissioned in May 1801 by Captain Henry Digby, and after brief service in the English Channel the frigate left for Quebec in charge of a convoy.

Having returned to England at the end of the year, the frigate resumed service in the English Channel, with Captain Philip Wodehouse replacing Digby.

[Note 1][1][2] Gardiner describes Resistance's sister Aigle as a "good all-round performer under sail", but says that the ship was not quite the fastest of its type.

[1][8] Resistance initially served in the English Channel, returning to Portsmouth from a cruise off Le Havre on 30 June.

[1][10][11] While acting in this role Resistance captured the French 8-gun privateer Elizabeth on 22 August, as the latter attempted to sail from Cayenne to Bourdeaux.

[16] He received favourable testimonies of his character from several naval officers and seamen, and was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter, punished with three months imprisonment and a fine of £100.

[Note 3][22] The ship in the meantime resumed her role as a cruiser, leaving Portsmouth on 28 January on anti-smuggling duties, from which she returned on 12 February.

[24] With the Peace of Amiens beginning, Digby went on half pay on 9 May and was replaced in command by Captain Philip Wodehouse.

[1][28] Resistance sailed from Portsmouth to Lymington on 2 November, there taking on board Captain Sir Harry Neale and his family.

[29] Having completed this, on 31 May 1803 Resistance was returning to the Mediterranean Sea when the frigate was wrecked off the Portuguese coast a few miles north of Cape St. Vincent.