She spent all of her first years in Plymouth and in 1773 formed part of the Spithead Review where the strength of the Navy was displayed to King George III.

Not until December 1778 did she begin to partake in meaningful duties, when she then sailed over the Atlantic to the West Indies.

On 16 March 1781 she took part in the Battle of Cape Henry fighting the French fleet off the American coast.

In December she was re-posted to the West Indies and on 12 April 1782 took part in the huge Battle of the Saintes as the final ship of the Red Squadron, in which action she delivered the fatal blow to the French ship "Cesar".

Although some works were carried out a full refit proved uneconomic and she sat for many years unused in Portsmouth Docks.