 "Santa Margarita" was commissioned in March 1781 under Captain Elliot Salter, who sailed her to North America where she formed part of George Johnstone's squadron in June 1781.On 29 July 1782 she captured the 36-gun "Amazone" off Cape Henry, but the next day the squadron under Vaudreuil intervened, recapturing "Amazone".Two months later, on 30 September, "Santa Margarita" captured the American privateer "Hendrick".