| abstract | - Active served the Royal Navy from 12 May 1794 to 22 November 1800. She had a burthen of 712⁄94 tons (bm) and was armed with ten 3-pounder guns. In 1795 Active served as Royal Escort for Princess Caroline of Brunswick. Active's next noteworthy appearance occurred when she signaled the approach of the Dutch fleet to Admiral Adam Duncan before his victory at Camperdown on 11 October 1797. Her commander, Lieutenant J. Hamilton, was on the deck of Venerable when Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter surrendered his sword. Active participated in the disastrous expedition against the Batavian Republic under Vice-admiral Andrew Mitchell and Lieutenant General Ralph Abercromby. On 28 August 1799, she and the Hired armed cutter Swan participated in the capture of the Dutch hulks Drotchterland and Broederschap, and the ships Helder, Venus, Minerva, and Hector, in the New Diep, in Holland. Prize money for these vessels was due to be paid on 24 February 1802. On 22 November 1800, while Active was on the River Ems and still under the command of Lieutenant Hamilton, a French privateer, together with some Dutch gunboats, captured her. The French took her into service as Victoire. The Hired armed brig Lady Ann, of 16 guns and under the command of Lieutenant John Lake, recaptured her off Flamborough Head on 16 May 1801, after a running fight and chase of 17 hours. Victoire was operating as a privateer, was armed with fourteen 4-pounder guns, and had a crew of 75 men. She was under the command of Jean Beville. Lake found his small crew far out-numbered by all his prisoners so he made first for Bridlington where he landed 55 of them, then on to Yarmouth with the prize and 20 others.
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