She served in the Channel, where she engaged in one action that would eventually result in her crew qualifying for the Naval General Service Medal.

[3] Early in the morning of 24 April 1805, HMS Leda sighted twenty-six French vessels rounding Cap Gris Nez.

Honyman immediately ordered Fury, Harpy, Railleur, Bruiser, Gallant, Archer, Locust, Tickler, Watchful, Monkey, Firm, and Starling to intercept.

After a fight of about two hours, Starling and Locust had captured seven armed schuyts in an action within pistol-shot of the shore batteries on Cap Gris Nez.

[11] On 20 April 1810 the boats of Firm, Surly, and Sharpshooter, under the command of Lieutenant Hodgkins of Firm, and Mr Lagaw, 2nd Master of Sharpshooter, cut out the French privateer cutter Alcide from the mouth of the Pirou River, where she had taken refuge after the British vessels had chased her.

[8] In October 1810 Firm detained and sent into Portsmouth Christiana Elizabeth, Hamphall, master, a Swedish vessel sailing from Buenos Ayres.

[14] On 12 March 1811 Firm and Challenger were off the Île de Batz, with the rest of the British blockading squadron hull down on the horizon.

Firm and Challenger sighted two strange sails, which turned out to be the French frigates Prégel and Revanche.

The following night, while wearing round to sail out of Cancalle Bay, Firm grounded at the top of high water.