Originally built for the French East India Company, she was purchased by the Navy and saw service during the War of American Independence.

Actionnaire was built for the French East India Company at Lorient, and entered service for her first commercial journey in 1767.

She did a commercial journey to Puducherry, departing Lorient on 12 March 1768 and returning on 30 October 1769.

[7] On 20 April 1782, Actionnaire was armed en flûte, under Captain Kerangal, and was part of a convoy commanded by Soulanges, with his flag on the 74-gun Protecteur, along with the ship Pégase and the frigates Indiscrète and Andromaque.

Actionnaire retreated, but the 80-gun Foudroyant gave chase and caught up with her in the evening.