Orient was built in Lorient for the French East India Company by Antoine Groignard,[3] from April 1756[Note 1] to August 1759.

[2] On 14 November 1759, under Captain Guébriant, Orient was part of a 20-ship fleet under Hubert de Brienne attempting invasion of Cornwall.

[1] On 28 December 1778, under Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves, she sailed from Brest to reinforce the French colony of Isle de France (Mauritius) [5] arriving in September 1779, her crew suffering from scurvy.

[6] By April 1781, Estienne d'Orves's health had deteriorated to the point where First Officer Bolle was in effective command.

[7] After Estienne d'Orves died on 9 February 1782, Suffren put Captain Lapallière[Note 2] in command.