Early in her career a French privateer captured her, but the British Royal Navy quickly recaptured her.

Perseverance entered Lloyd's Register in 1801 with W. Stevers, master, Mellish, owner, and trade London–Southern Fisheries.

She was at Walvis Bay in August, together with a number of other whalers such as Charming Kitty, Indispensable, and Elligood, and that they were generally successful.

[6] Voyage #2 (1802–1803): Stavers sailed on 31 August 1802 for the Brazil Banks, and was there in February 1803, together with Duchess of Portland and Ferret.

War with France resumed in May 1803, increasing the risks to whalers and other merchant vessels.

[3][8] Voyage #3 (1804–1806): Captain William Irish received a letter of marque on 28 January 1804,[2] and sailed Perseverance from England on 3 February, bound for Timor.

[3] Between 10 and 15 August 1804 she was among a number of whalers from London that were well at Timor, including Iris, Elliott, Eliza, and others.

[9] Homeward bound, she left St Helena on 31 January 1806, and arrived in England on 28 April.

[3][8] Voyage #4 (1806–1809): Captain William Stavers received a letter of marque on 23 July 1806.

[3][8] Voyage #5 (1809–1811): Captain Thomas Williamson left England on 1 June 1809, bound for Peru.

British ships were then free to sail to India or the Indian Ocean under a licence from the EIC.

[11] Perseverence's owners applied for a licence to sail to certain ports in the East Indies under the provisions for whalers.

A strike from the whale's fluke killed one oarsman, and threw Stavers into the sea, where his body floated, insensible.

[3] Voyage #9 (1818–1821): Captain Alexander Luke sailed from England on 7 October 1818 and returned on 17 April 1821 with 600 casks.