On 24 January 1804, the packet Queen Charlotte, under the command of William Nisbett and belonging to the Old Shipping Company, of Berwick, encountered a French privateer cutter of 14 guns.

Nisbett fired back and an engagement of more than an hour and a half ensued before the privateer sailed away empty-handed.

Nisbett reported that he would have liked more guns, but that Queen Charlotte's armament was sufficient to have protected other trading vessels.

Queen Charlotte, James Nicholson, master, left Leith on 16 October 1827 with 11 passengers and 76 puncheons of "superior whisky" destined for a "gude Scott" of London.

Nicholson barely had time to get his crew and passengers aboard Silvia before Queen Charlotte sank without a trace.