[3] On 13 July 1800 HMS Ruby was escorting a convoy from St Helena to Great Britain when at 45°N 29°W / 45°N 29°W / 45; -29 when she sighted a strange sail that appeared to be a French privateer.

Winds were light and next morning Ruby sighted the privateer some three miles ahead.

Ruby was unable to catch the privateer, which made use of sweeps to remain just out of gunshot.

She had been out a month but had succeeded only in capturing the brig Fame, which had been sailing from Sierra Leone to London.

[a] Captain Solomon Ferris, of Ruby recommended that the Navy acquire La Fortune.

[5] In January 1802 Fortune stopped in at Rio de Janeiro for water and food.

She had taken five prizes: two Spanish brigs, a snow, a sloop, and a Hamburg ship carrying naval stores to Mauritius.

The Register of Shipping and other sources carried Fortune as continuing to whale for some years.

1st slave voyage (1805–1806): Captain Charles Watt acquired a letter of marque on 1 April 1805.

The Liverpool ships Roe, Sisters, Active, Rellena, and Clarendon were at Cabenda and Malemba.

The result was a big bill for rent of store, doctor's attendance, provisions, brandy, wine, tobacco, heads and offals, oil, etc., for the captives.

While she was at Nassau 34 seamen joined or were impressed on board Royal Navy ships on the station.

[13] 2nd slave voyage (1807–1808): Captain Archibald Keenan acquired a letter of marque on 12 March 1807.