HMS Heureux (1800)

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HMS Heureux (1800) was originally the French privateer Heureux, a 22-gun brig with about 220 men. The British captured her in the English Channel off Bordeaux on 5 March 1800 after a encounter with the ship that mistook a British frigate for a merchant vessel. Heureux surrendered after a short fight; she suffered heavier casualties than her captors, and eleven British sailors were found serving aboard her and were returned to England.

The Admiralty bought Heureux and she was fitted as a post ship with two bow guns and twenty carronades. She was commissioned in August 1800 under Captain Loftus Bland and sailed to the West Indies in early 1801.

Heureux had a busy career, mainly in Caribbean waters, taking many prizes and privateers. Highlights include:
- 28 May 1801: after a long chase, she captured the 16-gun French sloop Egypte near Guadeloupe.
- 16 August 1801: arrived as the Spanish brig Theresa surrendered to Guachapin in a separate action.
- 10 August 1803: together with Emerald, she captured the Dutch ship Surinam Planter with a rich cargo.
- 23 September 1803: Heureux helped with the Berbice operation, where Serpent and other ships were taken as prizes (Serpent became HMS Berbice).
- 26 February 1804: captured the French privateer and blockade runner Flibustier.
- 25 June 1804 onward: she recaptured several British merchant ships, including Esther and Salamander.
- 9 December 1804: captured the Spanish merchant ship San Sebastian and, days later, Santo Christo.
- 31 May 1805: captured the French felucca privateer Desiree.
- 28 December 1805: with Kingfisher, captured the Spanish brig Solidad.
- 15 January 1806: captured the Spanish letter of marque Amelia; 21 January: captured Emilie; February: captured Bellone and then Bocune; 8 March: captured the French privateer Huron.
- 30 March 1806: in company with HMS Agamemnon, Heureux captured the French privateer Dame Ernouf.

In early 1806, Captain John Morrison arrived to take command. Heureux was ordered to move from the West Indies to Halifax, Nova Scotia, but she never arrived. She and her crew disappeared somewhere along the U.S. coast and were presumed lost with all hands in June 1806, about 155 officers and men. The exact fate of Heureux remains a mystery.