On 19 July 1805 Départment des Landes was part of a squadron of four vessels under François-André Baudin that captured HMS Blanche off Puerto Rico, three days after they had left Martinique.

[5] The three remaining ships proceeded, but on the 16th, Torche was lagging behind and in danger of behind caught by Goliath, which had been joined by HMS Raisonnable.

Deeming that waiting for Torche entailed accepting battle against the overwhelming British forces, Baudin ordered his squadron to take whatever actions were necessary for their security.

On 29 September Départment des Landes, under the command of Captain Joseph-François Raoul,[9] was sailing off Guadeloupe when she encountered HMS Maria, a gun-brig of 16 guns.

[9] After the French had gotten all their prisoners off Maria, the prize crew had to run her aground to prevent her from sinking due to the damage she had sustained.

[9] The French provided a cartel to Dominica to permit Dyason to report the loss to Rear-Admiral Alexander Cochrane.