HMS Hunter was a 10-gun brig of the Upper Canada Provincial Marine then, in 1813, the Royal Navy. She was built in 1806 at the Fort Amherstburg King's Navy Ship Yard in Amherstburg, Ontario. During her first six years she served on the Upper Great Lakes as a Provincial Marine patrol and transport vessel. After the War of 1812 began, General Hunter took part in a number of successful engagements, including the capture of Detroit in 1812. As part of the British/Canadian Squadron under Commander Robert Heriot Barclay, and captained by Royal Navy Lieutenant George Bignell, General Hunter – now a Royal Navy Vessel – took part in the Battle of Lake Erie in September 1813. She was captured along with the rest of the British/Canadian squadron during the battle.