Following the resumption of war with France in early 1803, concern developed in Britain about Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom.

The British East India Company in November voted to underwrite 10,000 tons (bm) of armed transports to protect Great Britain's coasts.

In autumn 1805 a small naval squadron under the orders of Commodore Sir Home Popham escorted a fleet of transports, including Paragon, and East Indiamen carrying some 5000 soldiers under the command of Major-general Sir David Baird to attack the Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope.

The expedition sailed again on the 26 November, and on 4 January 1806, in the evening, anchored to the west of Robben Island, preparatory to taking the Dutch colony.

After the invasion, on 7 February, Paragon sailed for Algoa Bay with troops to load lumber for military works.

[10] Paragon was wrecked on 24 March 1819,[1] when she was driven ashore at Saugor Sands, while on a voyage from London to the Cape of Good Hope and Calcutta.

[11][12] A later report stated that Paragon, Keene, master, had run aground on the night of the 24th and subsequently sunk; no property had been saved.