She participated in the capture of two privateers before she and HMS Serapis succumbed to a small American flotilla off Flamborough Head in 1779.

[1] The Royal Navy commissioned Countess of Scarborough in November 1777 under the command of Captain Thomas Piercy.

[a] Duc de la Vauguyon had captured and ransomed a lobster smack sailing from Norway to Britain.

[7][c] On 23 September 1779 Serapis and Countess of Scarborough were escorting the Baltic fleet home when they encountered a small Franco-American squadron under the command John Paul Jones in Bonhomme Richard, and including the frigates Alliance and Pallas.

All her braces, the great part of the running rigging, and her main and mizen top-sail sheets were shot away.

The court martial on 10 March 1780 for the loss of his ship acquitted Piercy, his officers and men, stating they "have in the execution of such duty done infinite credit to themselves by a very obstinate defence against a superior force.

The Court of Directors of the Royal Exchange Assurance Company voted to present him with a piece of plate worth 50 guineas, "as a testimony of their approbation of his bravery and conduct in protecting the valuable fleet from the Baltic under his care.

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