His Majesty's Hired armed lugger Speedwell served the Royal Navy on contract between 11 June 1796 and 31 October 1801.
[2] At some point, Speedwell, under the command of Lieutenant Robert Tomlinson, recaptured St Patrick, Harford, master.
A chase ensued and after six hours Speedwell captured Les Amis, armed with two brass 6-pounder guns and two swivels, and manned by 18 men.
On 24 September Admiral Andrew Mitchell reported that he detached Captain Boorder, in Espeigle, with Speedwell, to scour the Coast from Steveren to Lemmer.
[8] Subsequently, both Speedwells were among the vessels that shared in the proceeds of the Vlieter Incident on 28 August 1799,[9] when the Dutch fleet, with 632 guns and 3700 men, surrendered to Admiral Mitchell, without a shot being fired.
Tomlinson described Heureux Speculateur as "a remarkably fast Sailer [that] has done a great deal of Mischief to the English Trade.
"[10] In early April 1800, "the Speedwell Cutter" brought into Yarmouth Fancy de Jersey, which she had recaptured off Goree.
On 29 April Speedwell landed 10,000 letters from Egypt, Malta, and Mahon, after the Officers of Health had properly fumigated them.