She was lost on the coast of Africa at the outset of a voyage as a slave ship in the triangular trade in enslaved people.

[1] Her owner, John Dawson, and his partner Peter Baker, were the largest British firm of traders in enslaved people.

Irving was aware of how dangerous the passage through the channel between the Canary Islands and North Africa was, however, he still miscalculated and was caught by strong currents in poor visibility.

Their owners handed Irving and ten other crew from Anna to British vice consul, John Hutchinson; they then sailed to England.

[10] Ten out of the original crew of 11 survived the shipwreck and arrived back in England in October 1790.