The name ship of her class, she was built in the Ferrol shipyards and paid for by the people of Cantabria.
In 1795 she fought a French force of 8 ships of the line (including one three-decker) and 2 frigates single-handed in the bay of San Feliu de Guíxols - thanks to her superior speed, the Montañés managed to get within range of a coastal artillery battery, forcing the French to break off the chase.
In June 1805 she was put under the command of Captain Francisco de Alcedo and made part of Alcalá Galdiano's division, defending Cadiz from a possible British attack.
Now commanded by José Quevedo, on 14 July 1808 the Montañés took part in the capture of the Rosily Squadron at Cadiz.
She also made several voyages to the Canary Islands, Balearics and Havana before being lost in a heavy storm on 10 March 1810.