One source states that Lion was built as Leuve for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and captured at Saldanha Bay in 1795.

[2] However, the most comprehensive database of VOC voyages has no record of a Leuve, or even of a Leuuw (the Dutch word for lion) fitting the dates and circumstances.

Lion was at Delagoa Bay in late June 1798, having put in in distress as she was returning to England from Madras and Colombo.

Lion had been carrying a cargo from Madras and Colombo to England when she had put into Delagoa Bay in distress.

[4] Lloyd's List simply reported on 21 December that Lion had been condemned at Delagoa Bay and that three whalers had been hired to bring back her cargo.