She began her career as the Niémen, a 44-gun French Navy Armide-class frigate, designed by Pierre Rolland.

Chantier Courau Frères at Bordeaux built Niémen to a design by Pierre Rolland, carrying 40 guns.

[2] Two days later, as she was in the Bay of Biscay, she encountered three British vessels, including the 36-gun frigate HMS Amethyst, under the command of Captain Sir Michael Seymour.

[4] After a sustained chase lasting all day, the Amethyst lost sight of the Emerald, which could not match the speed of the two others, and had failed to gain on the Niémen.

The Arethusa then arrived on the scene, firing a couple of broadsides at the badly damaged French ship.

[4] In 1847 the Admiralty authorized the issue of the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Amethyst 5 April 1809" to be awarded upon application to all British participants still living in 1847.

[6] The Admiralty purchased Niémen for the sum of £29,979 2s 10d in prize money; the Royal Navy took her into service and commissioned her as HMS Niemen.

[4] At some point in late 1809 or early 1810 she captured the Portuguese brig Rio Douro and the American ship Orion.

[10] Under Captain Thomas Young, and in company with Fortunee, Niemen captured the American brig Meteor on 26 July.

However, the crew of Purse recaptured their vessel, after killing Midshipman Sanders, the Prize Master from Niemen.

On 29 May 1812 on her return trip to New York with a valuable cargo of brandy, wine, and silks, Purse encountered Armide.

[16] Two days later, Niemen was in company with the British privateer Pheasant when they captured the American brig Hannibal.

Niemen then sailed to North America to join a squadron under Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, which had already left.