HMS Scourge was a 4-gun gun-vessel, formerly a Dutch hoy, purchased in February 1794. She was fitted out at Deptford between April and 12 May, and commissioned under Lieutenant John Store. His replacement, in August 1795, was Lieutenant John Wolfe, who was succeeded in the next month by Lieutenant Robert Watherston. A little over a year later, in October 1796, Lieutenant Francis M'Ghie took command. In March of the next year Lieutenant Charles Randle replaced him.