The Royal Navy captured her at the Siege of Toulon but the French retook her when the Anglo-Spanish force retreated.

Next, she escorted a convoy from Smyrna to Cape Matapan, and then protected French trade between Tripoli (Syria) and Alexandria.

She, the frigate Sensible, and the corvette Rossignol captured the 28-gun HMS Nemesis, which had grounded and after refloating had anchored out of range of the fort in the neutral port of Smyrna.

Three men from Nemesis, a sailor and two Royal Marines, defected to the French and joined Sardine.

[5][a] On 9 March 1796, Nemesis was anchored in the neutral harbour of Tunis, together with Postillon, and Sardine, under the command of Enseigne de vaisseau non entretenu Icard (acting).

Boats from HMS Egmont, Barfleur, and Bombay Castle] attacked the French ships and captured all three.

[10] Jervis had Postillon repaired and painted before selling her to Sir Gilbert Elliot the British viceroy of the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom, for onward transfer to the Dey of the Regency of Algiers.

Sardine was part of a squadron under Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, in Excellent, and also containing the cutter Resolution, at Bastia before the British evacuated it in October.