Fanny was an armed merchantman that sailed between Liverpool and South America. Her master was James Laughton, the father of Sir John Knox Laughton. On 5 December 1812, Laughton was granted a Letter of Marque for the ship. On 19 April 1814, the American privateer schooner General Armstrong captured her, though shortly thereafter Sceptre recaptured her. The insurance and marine salvage issues involved gave rise to three notable court cases.