Antigua began her career as the Galathée class French frigate Railleuse.

She took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781, and in the subsequent Siege of Yorktown, under Sainte-Eulalie.

On 11 June 1794 she was cruising in the Channel when she encountered and chased the 14-gun cutter HMS Ranger off Brest.

The French treated Ranger's crew badly, stripping the men naked and keeping them on deck for two days until they arrived at Brest.

[6] A letter from Madeira dated 22 February 1804 reported that the 36-gun privateer Égyptienne was cruising to the south of the island.

Osprey lost one man killed and 16 wounded in the action and her hull and rigging were badly damaged.

After Hippomenses captured Égyptienne, the British found out that she had lost eight men killed and 19 wounded in the fight with Osprey.