She made two voyages as an "extra ship", under charter to the British East India Company (EIC).

[7] On 7 March 1800, the Court of Directors of the EIC met at India house and hired five vessels for one voyage each to bring back from Bengal "sugar, cotton, saltpeter, etc."

Her builder (owner), was Lyatt & Co.[4] EIC voyage #1 (1800–1801): Captain John Robinson Franklin acquired a letter of marque on 6 May 1800.

[6] EIC voyage #2 (1802–1804): Captain Samuel Butler sailed from the Downs on 4 May 1802, bound for Bombay and Bengal.

[2] Richard Wellesley, the Governor General of India, then sent Herculean to the Concan to embark His Highness the Peishwa (of Poonah), and carry him to Bassein.

Outward bound from Calcutta, she was at Kedgeree on 17 June, and reached Poolo Bay (about nine miles south of Fort Marlborough) on 28 September.