She was launched in 1757 and initially served in Sir Edward Hawke's fleet blockading the coast of France where she fought at the Raid on Cherbourg and in the Battle of Bishops Court.

This permitted the carrying of heavier ordinance without the substantial increase in hull size which would otherwise have been required in order to keep the lower gun ports consistently above the waterline.

[5] The twelve-pound cannons were supported by ten six-pounder guns, eight on the quarterdeck and two on the forecastle, each weighing 16.5 long cwt (1,800 lb or 800 kg) with a barrel length of 6 feet (1.8 m).

[5] Pallas was commissioned in August 1757 under the command of Captain Archibald Clevland to serve in the English Channel as part of Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hawke's fleet blockading the coast of France.

On 7 August 1758 she served as the flag ship of Commodore Richard Howe at the Raid on Cherbourg and also participated in operations at Saint Cas between June and September.

In the next month King was replaced by Captain Thomas Spry who sailed the ship back to England where she was re-coppered at Plymouth Dockyard between March and May 1779.

[9] After leaving the dockyard Pallas initially served in the English Channel to assist in defending the Channel Islands, which role culminated in the action of 13 May 1779 where a French invasion force intended for Jersey was driven ashore by a large force of British ships including Pallas, commanded by Sir James Wallace.

Captain Christopher Parker assumed command of Pallas in 1782 and sailed her home, from where she travelled to Halifax to serve as a convoy escort.