Early in the morning of 24 April 1805, HMS Leda, Captain Robert Honyman (or Honeyman), sighted twenty-six French vessels rounding Cap Gris Nez.

Honyman immediately ordered the vessels of his squadron, Fury, Harpy, Railleur, Bruiser, Gallant, Archer, Locust, Tickler, Watchful, Monkey, Firm, and Starling, to intercept.

After a fight of about two hours, Starling and Locust had captured seven armed schuyts in an action within pistol-shot of the shore batteries on Cap Gris Nez.

[5] HMS Cruizer and Fury shared in the proceeds of the capture on 23 November of Fier Broders, J. Eynerson, master.

[6] Starling, Cruizer, Alexandrine [sic] (probably Alexandria), and Fury shared in the proceeds of the capture, also on 23 November, of the Danish ships Vrow Sophia and Yonge Nessa.

On 25 November she captured the Danish vessels Lawrence Caroline, Two Brothers, Prince Charles, Aurora, and Erudte.

[13] Starling, Pandora, and Rose were in sight when on 12 October 1810 Raleigh captured the Danish brig Friheden.

[b] The Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy offered the "Starling gun-brig, of 181 tons", lying at Sheerness, for sale on 29 September 1814.