Swallow's origins are obscure in terms of her launch year and place.

She first appeared in 1798 as a slave ship in the triangular trade in enslaved people.

She first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1798 with R.White as master, R.Abram as owner, and trade Liverpool–Africa.

[3] Captain Robert White acquired a letter of marque on 14 March 1798.

She escaped the French privateer Republican, of 32 guns, in a squall after an hour-long running fight.