Butterworth was launched in 1778 in France as the highly successful 32-gun privateer Américaine, of Granville.

She is most famous for her role in the "Butterworth Squadron", which took her and two ship's tenders on an exploration, sealing, otter fur, and whaling voyage to Alaska and the Pacific Coast of North America.

However, there was a French privateer frigate Américaine, of Granville, that carried 32 guns and that was active between 1779 and 1780.

Under his command she captured the prizes Machora, Betsy, Sil Lah, Race Horse, Elisabeth Quenley, Notre Dame du Rosaire, and Hanto of Black.

[1] On 17 January 1781 Américaine recaptured the Dutch ship Hendrick Frederick, Captain Raba, master.

Hendrick Fredrick had been sailing from Oporto to Nantz with 400 chests of fruit when on 13 December at 45°20′N 11°32′W / 45.333°N 11.533°W / 45.333; -11.533 Little Ben, Hayes, master, had captured her.

Lloyd's List reported in July 1787 that Butterworth, Ellison, master, was at Davis Strait, having taken six fish (whales).

[12] Then in 1789, T. Pritzler (or Pritzlea) replaced Butterworth as owner, and William Brown became her master.

[17] Alderman William Curtis, Theophilus Pritzler, and probably John Perry, a Blackwall shipbuilder, financed an expedition consisting of three vessels, Butterworth, and two smaller tenders: Jackall, Alexander Stewart (or Steward), master,[f] and Prince Lee Boo, E. Sharp, master.

[20][21] Butterworth, Jackal and Prince Lee Boo are often credited with being the first European vessels to enter Honolulu Harbor.

Rattler, James Colnett, master, was on voyage of exploration to the Pacific for the whaling firm of Samuel Enderby & Sons.

George Lampert and William Bonallack replaced Brown and Gordon as captains of the two vessels.

She was under the command of Sharpe, and carried 85 tuns of whale oil and 17500 seal skins.

[27] Lloyd's Register for 1796 shows her master changing from W. Brown to S. Halcrow and her trade from London-Nootka to London-South Seas.

[h] Butterworth put into Rio de Janeiro in March 1797, for water, refreshment, and calefaction; she also had sick aboard.

[35] In June Butterworth stopped at Rio de Janeiro for water, food, refreshment, and calefaction.

[27] Lloyd's List reported that Butterworth, Folger, master, had been lost on 13 July 1802 off St. Jago, while outbound to the Southern Fisheries.