HMS Tweed was a 32-gun sailing frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

 of the fifth rate produced for the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

. She was designed in 1757 by Sir Thomas Slade, based on the lines of the smaller sixth rate HMS Tartar

HMS Tartar (1756)

HMS Tartar was a 28-gun sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. The ship was designed by Sir Thomas Slade and based on the Lyme of 1748, "with such alterations as may tend to the better stowing of men and carrying for guns."...

, but with a 10-foot midsection inserted.

The Tweed was commissioned in April 1759 under Captain William Paston. In 1763 command passed to Captain Charles Douglas

Sir Charles Douglas, 1st Baronet

Rear Admiral Sir Charles Douglas, 1st Baronet of Carr was a descendant of the Earls of Morton and a distinguished British naval officer...

 until the ship paid off into reserve in April 1765. In November 1766 she was recommissioned under Captain Thomas Collingwood. In 1770 command passed to Captain George Collier

George Collier

Sir George Collier was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the Seven Years War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars. As commander of the frigate HMS Rainbow, he was one of the most successful British naval commanders during the opening stages of war...

 until the ship paid off into reserve again in 1771.

The design was not considered to be very successful and no further ships of this class were built, while the Tweed herself was sold in 1776 following a survey in 1771 that indicated that she would require a Middling Repair taking £3,500 and nine months to complete.