Harrier was commissioned in November 1804 under Commander William Woodridge, who sailed her for the East Indies on 24 December 1804.

After resupplying at San Jacinto, Sémillante intended to sail for Mexico in March 1805 to fetch specie for the Philippines; the encounter with Phaeton and Harrier foiled the plan.

Motard returned to the Indian Ocean, operating for the next three years against British shipping from Île de France.

[3] Greyhound and Harrier continued their cruise westward until the evening of 25 July when, in the Salayer Strait, they sighted four ships.

Casualties on Pallas were heavy, with eight men killed outright and 32 wounded, including her captain and three of his lieutenants.

Robson and a party of lascars had reached Ambonya where the governor had treated them with great kindness and hospitality, and put them on Pallas.

Pigot was superseded in turn by Commander Justice Finley (acting), at the Cape of Good Hope.

[8] Commander John James Ridge was captain of Harrier on 19 October 1808 when she captured the French ship Soeuffleur.

[10] On 13 and 14 March 1809, Harrier was in company with her sister ship Racehorse, about 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km; 1,200 mi) from Rodrigues.