Work on her was completed by May 1759, and she joined Chef d'escadre Jean-François de La Clue-Sabran's fleet in the port.

Taking advantage of the British fleet's departure for supplies, the French left port and sailed into the Atlantic.

Walsingham went out to the Mediterranean and was involved in naval operations there, capturing the 32-gun Bouffonne off Cadiz at the action of 17 July 1761, while in company with HMS Thetis.

[2] Modeste then sailed to the Leeward Islands in October 1761 and was present at the reduction of Martinique in January and February 1762.

Captain John Hollwall took command later that year and Modeste remained in the Leeward Islands until returning to Britain to be paid off in March 1764.