Barbara first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1799 with J.Blair, master, Woodyear, owner, and trade London–Saint Kitts.

Barbara, Blair, master, sailed from Gravesend on 28 April 1799, bound for Saint Kitts.

[a] The Register of Shipping (RS) for 1801 showed Barbara with G.Carr, master, Bennett, owner, and trade London–Southern fishery.

[2] Barbara received two letters of marque before she sailed on her whale-hunting voyage.

Clark, master, was reported to be at Walwich Bay in August 1801, together with a number of other whalers, including Charming Kitty, Elligood, Favorite (Allen, master), Indispensable, and Perseverance, and that they were generally successful.