She was taken in prize and from 1808 sailed from Falmouth, Cornwall, as a packet for the Post Office Packet Service.

She sailed primarily to the Iberian peninsula, but also made voyages to North America, Suriname, and the Mediterranean.

She was wrecked on 14 April 1812 while returning to Falmouth from Malta.

[2] Dispatch was wrecked on a shoal between Malta and Mazara del Vallo, Trapani.

[3][2] Captain Kirkness returned to England aboard the store ship HMS Abundance.