Subtile was a 24-gun corvette of the French Navy From 1777 to 1778, she was under Lieutenant Bidé de Maurville.

[2] During the War of American Independence, Subtile served in the Indian Ocean in a squadron under Rear-Admiral Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves.

[4] On 9 February 1782, Estienne d'Orves died and Suffren assumed command of the squadron.

He re-appointed his captains and gave Tromelin de La Nuguy command of Subtile.

[6][7] [Note 1] In the year 1787, she sailed for a cruise to China with Résolution (under Bruni d'Entrecasteaux), arriving on 7 February 1787, two days after Lapérouse had left.