Carnation entered service at Plymouth in 1807 under Commander Charles Mars Gregory, who sailed her to the West Indies in 1808.

[1] On 3 October, the French brig Palinure engaged Carnation 180 nautical miles (330 km; 210 mi) northeast of Martinique.

Carnation′s crew were mustered to resist, but a Royal Marine sergeant named John Chapman refused the order and led over 30 men below decks to await capture.

[4] Huguet had distinguished himself in the engagement as Palinure's Capitaine de frègate Pierre-François Jance had been debilitated by yellow fever and reportedly died within an hour of the victory after transferring to Carnation, which was the better vessel.

A court martial convicted them of cowardice; Chapman was hanged from the yardarm of Ulysses the day after his sentence was passed.