The order to construct the ship was given by the Admiralty of the Meuse.

On 11 October 1797 the Gelijkheid took part in the Battle of Camperdown.

The ship was captured by the British and renamed HMS Gelykheid.

In November 1803 the ship was stationed in the Humber as a guardship.

In 1807, Gelykheid was fitted out as sheer hulk at Falmouth, and she was disposed of in 1814.