Betsey departed Macau on 10 November 1805, heading for Sydney in New South Wales.

Her crew comprised two officers, Captain William Brooks and chief mate Edward Luttrell, and ten seaman including four from China, three from the Philippines and three from Portugal.

The jollyboat reached Balambangan Island off the North Coast of Borneo and the crew landed on 2 December.

Lutterell fought off the attackers and with the remaining two Portuguese headed back out to sea.

On 20 April 1806 their captors put Lutterell and the Portuguese sailor aboard a prow, took them to Singapore, and released them.