She called Isle de France (Mauritius) and arrived at Cuddalore on 10 March 1782 to support the squadron under Suffren.

[3] Suffren sent her to Madras to warn the French blockading squadron, composed of the 74-gun Fendant,[4] the 64-gun Saint-Michel and the frigates Cléopâtre and Coventry, of the imminent arrival of a superior British force.

[5] Three days after her departure, on 11 April 1783, Naïade spotted the 64-gun HMS Sceptre,[6] under Captain Graves;[7] after trying without success to elude his much stronger opponent, Villaret was forced into battle, and struck his colours after a five-hour fight.

[8][9][5][7] When Villaret surrendered his sword, Graves allegedly told him "Sir, you have given us a fairly beautiful frigate, but you made us pay dearly for her!

[1] The British armed Naïade with twenty-two 12-pounder guns, and two 18-pounder and six 12-pounder carronade, but never commissioned her.