HMS Squirrel was designed by Richard Stacey, Master Shipwright of Woolwich.

[3] She was ordered on 26 March 1707 from Woolwich Dockyard to be built under the guidance of their Master Shipwright, Richard Stacey.

In July 1715 Captain Thomas Smart, RN took command for operations against pirates on the North-East coast.

[6] She was ordered to be rebuilt as a 374-ton (builder's measure) 20 gun sixth rate under the guidance of the Woolwich Master Shipwright, John Hayward on 23 March 1727.

She returned to pay off on 27 December 1731.Captain George Anson took command in 1732 for service at South Carolina.

She returned and underwent a small repair at Woolwich at a cost of £2,626.11.9d[Note 2] from August thru October 1735.

Recommissioning in December 1735 under Captain Peter Warren she proceeded to New England, then took part in Georgia operation where she took a sloop on 28 April 1740.

She took privateers San Francisco on 1 May 1741 and L'Etoile du Nord on 26 June 1741, She conveyed Mast ships from New England to Home Waters.