HMS Acheron was the mercantile New Grove, launched at Whitby in 1799, that the Admiralty purchased in 1803 and fitted as a bomb-vessel.

Arrow and Acheron were able to save the majority of the vessels of the convoy by their resistance before they were compelled to strike.

The Admiralty named their purchase HMS Acheron and had her fitted out as a bomb vessel between 28 October and 2 March 1804, at Woolwich Dockyard.

[2] In July Acheron was part of the British squadron blockading the port, bottling up the French fleet.

[5] Acheron also shared in the proceeds of the capture by Nelson's fleet of Maria Magdalena, St. Judas Tadeo, Victoria, Agatha, and Corvo on 15, 17, and 21 November, and 8 December.

At Malta, he received instructions to take the merchant vessels gathered there to England, once some merchantmen arrived from Smyrna to join the convoy.

[a] Between 19 and 22 January, bad weather off the coast of Spain caused the convoy to separate into two parts, one with Arrow and the other with Acheron.

When it became clear that the strange vessels were French frigates, Arrow threw off the tow to the brig Adventure, which had been leaking and which the British destroyed to prevent her falling into enemy hands.

Also, the French were carrying a large number of troops who harassed the British with small arms fire whenever the vessels closed.

One of the vessels Fuerte sent into Malaga was later identified as Hannah, which was one of several ships of the convoy that had turned to sail back to Malta.

[15] It later turned out that British frigate Fisgard and the sloop Wasp had been at Cape Pallas (37°35′N 0°43′W / 37.583°N 0.717°W / 37.583; -0.717), a few leagues from the action.

The court martial of Farquhar, his officers, and men, for the loss of their vessel took place on Royal Sovereign in Palma Bay, Sardinia.

[17] The French held Vincent and his crew as prisoners in Cartagena, Spain, for almost three months from 8 February until early May.

Eventually, Admiral Lord Nelson was able to arrange a cartel brig to return the British prisoners to Gibraltar.

[7] The court martial of Vincent and his crew for the loss of Arrow convened on 17 June aboard Gladiator at Portsmouth.

The court martial honourably acquitted all; Vincent received promotion to post captain immediately thereafter.

At the request of Lloyd's, the Chairman of the association of Merchants Trading to South of Europe provided Vincent with the sum of £477 10s, and a proportionate amount to Farquhar, for them to procure clothing and necessities for their officers and crew, who had lost everything when they were captured and their vessels were destroyed.