Lord Mulgrave first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1783 with Easterby, master, J. Addison, owner, and traded Whitby–Riga.

[1][a] In September 1786 Lord Mulgrave, Chilton, master, arrived at Dover from Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the 33rd Regiment of Foot.

The outbreak of war with France had created a requirement for a large number of smaller vessels to protect England's trade, which provided a target-rich environment for French privateers.

The insurance underwriters at Hull presented him with a "handsome piece of plate" for his "great care and diligent attention to their interests".

She started to take on water so the crew threw ballast overboard and increased the sail area to try to drive her off the Bank.