 She was commissioned at Bordeaux on 22 November 1808, but not completed until January 1809.On 4 April 1809 she sailed under the command of Commandant Jean Dupotet for Fort-de-France with stores and a substantial crew of 319.Two days later, as she was in the Bay of Biscay, she encountered three British vessels, including the 36-gun frigate , under the command of Captain Sir Michael Seymour.