She reached the Cape on 16 December and St Helena on 6 January 1771, and arrived back at The Downs on 16 April.

The Mogul emperor (Shah Alam II) had allied with the Marathas, and Sujah Dowla (the Nawab of Bengal), would require British assistance.

[2] When Lapwing reached Falmouth her purser left her and travelled overland to India House in London.

The purser also reported that a terrible famine had descended on Bengal, killing an enormous number of people.

Bad weather had destroyed the "fruits of the earth", and the country ships that normally brought provisions had not arrived.