HMS Fox was a 32-gun Active-class fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 2 June 1780 at Bursledon, Hampshire by George Parsons. Fox was sent to the Caribbean in late 1781 and in January the following year under Captain Thomas Windsor captured two Spanish frigates. In March 1783 under Captain George Stoney captured the Spanish frigate Santa Catalina. In March 1797, near Visakhapatnam, Fox captured the French privateer Modeste, under Jean-Marie Dutertre. Took part in the bloodless Raid on Manila in January 1798.