[1] On the morning of 14 February 1809, HMS Belle Poule, under the command of Captain James Brisbane, was about 12 leagues north of Corfu when she sighted a suspicious sail.

Belle Poule gave chase and caught up with Var the next morning, finding her anchored under the guns of the fortresses guarding Valona.

Var was under the command of capitaine de frégate Paulin, who was sailing her from Corfu to Brindisi.

On 2 May 1811, as she sailed under Master William Kirby, she was wrecked on the Madras roadstead with the loss of two crew.

The violent gale also claimed the frigate Dover, several merchant vessels, and some 70 small craft.