In 1794 she was part of an EIC squadron that had some success against French privateers and naval vessels in the Sunda Strait, and then in 1796 she participated as a transport in the British capture of St Lucia.

Homeward bound, she crossed the Second Bar on 6 January 1784, reached St Helena on 27 April, and arrived at the Downs on 27 June.

Homeward bound, she crossed the Second Bar on 12 December, reached St Helena on 17 April 1788, and arrived at the Downs on 22 June.

The men from Houghton, the lascars, and others on board all jumped into the river and made it ashore without anyone suffering material injury.

In October 1796 the General Court of the EIC petitioned Parliament to pass a law abolishing the practice of captains, or their widows, buying or selling commands.

[7] In late 1793 John Shore, the EIC's Governor-General of India, formed a squadron from the company's own ships to patrol the region.

Two East Indiamen, William Pitt and Britannia, and the country ship Nonsuch were diverted from their regular route for the service.

Casualties among the French squadron are not known, but the only loss on the British ships was on Nonsuch, which had a man killed in combat with Cybèle.

[2] In late 1795 and early 1796, Houghton sailed as part of Admiral Hugh Cloberry Christian's expedition to the West Indies.

After numerous false starts aborted by weather issues, the fleet sailed on 26 April to invade St Lucia, with troops under Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby.

Homeward bound, she was at Saugor on 16 November, reached the Cape on 15 February 1798 and St Helena on 20 March, Cork on 24 June, and the Downs on 8 July.

[2] In October 1800 Earl Talbot struck the reefs around Pratas Island in the South China Sea and foundered with the loss of all hands.

[12][13] A letter from China dated November 1803 simply reported that it was believed that Houghton, a country ship, had encountered bad weather and foundered.