She was then commissioned in March 1781 - with 255 men under Captain Elliot Salter, who sailed her to North America where she formed part of George Johnstone's squadron in June 1781.

[7] On 29 July 1782 off Cape Henry at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, Salter came in sight of eight large warships out of thirteen under French Admiral Louis-Philippe de Vaudreuil.

A start was made on transferring her surviving crew to Santa Margarita as prisoners – a process hindered by the boats of both ships having been destroyed or damaged in the fighting.

[9] Salter in his official report gave high praise of the French crew and her captain, Lieutenant Montguyot, who was killed early in the action and his replacement and second in command the Chevalier de L'Épine.

[6][10] Reporting on the action, Admiral Vaudreuil called the attention of Navy Minister Castrie upon the advantages of carronades and of friction primers over slow matches.