Prévoyante was the second of two flûtes (supply or store ships) built to a design by Raymond-Antoine Haran.

In late 1794, Admiral Jervis signed a safe-conduct pass for Prevoyante so that she could repatriate British prisoners of war.

[3] On 2 May 1795 Rear Admiral George Murray sent Captain Alexander Cochrane in Thetis, together with Hussar, to intercept three French supply ships reported at Hampton Roads.

They had sailed to American ports to gather provisions and naval stores to bring back to France.

Cochrane had intended to leave the prizes in charge of the cutter Prince Edward after repairing the damage to his vessel during the night.

While on the Halifax station, Hussar, Captain Charles Wemyss, and Prevoyante captured the ship Minerva on 10 May 1796.

[6] Six or so months after Beresford had assumed command, the Admiralty appointed him to Raison and Charles Wemyss to Prevoyante.

[9] Prevoyante was serving on the North Sea station when she shared in the seizure of the 40-gun Danish frigate Freya on 25 July 1800 off Ostend.

[10] The seizure of the Freya for opposing the British right of search led to strained relations with Denmark.

The British government had to dispatch Lord Charles Whitworth to Copenhagen, with a substantial Royal Navy escort, to convince the Danes to drop the matter.

[11] On the leg from Gibraltar, Prevoyante was in company with Dragon and Alligator when they sighted two French ships of the line off Cape St. Vincent.

[14] Prevoyante shared with Merlin and Eurydice in the proceeds from the capture on 11 June 1805 of the Prussian ship Edward.