HMS Maria (1776)

HMS Maria was a schooner that the Americans captured in 1775 and that the British recaptured on 7 May 1776 at Quebec City and took into the Royal Navy.

Capture: On 3 May 1776 HMS Isis (1774), HMS Surprise (1774), and HMS Martin (1761) sailed up the St Lawrence River to the relief of Quebec. Surprise and Martin sailed ahead to "annoy" the retreating American troops. On their way on 7 May they captured an American privateer schooner armed with four 6-pounder and six 3-pounder guns, and on 17 May they recovered HMS Gaspée (1773). The privateer was Maria.

The British dismantled her and took her overland to Lake Champlain where they reassembled her. She also received six guns from HMS Lizard (1757). She was one of three "reconstructions", the other two being HMS Inflexible (1776) and HMS Carleton (1776).

Under the command of Lieutenant John Starke, Maria served on Lake Champlain in 1776 in the flotilla of Captain Thomas Pringle. She was at the battle of Valcour Island in 1776 where she served as the flagship for Colonel Guy Carleton, Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Quebec. Contrary winds prevented Maria from participating in the battle though.

Maria's subsequent disposition is unknown as of November 2022.