Orders had been given for her to leave port in company with H.M.S.Anson, Captain Durham, who (as the Powers were at war) was to convoy a fleet of East Indiamen, then on point of sailing, and with whom was H.M.S.Porpoise, bound to New South Wales.

The wind being fair, on the night of March 16th, 1800, the signal for sailing was given by the Commodore.

While all hands were busily engaged getting up the kedge, the carpenter made his escape in the darkness.

Anxious to avoid further delay, and somewhat consoled by the thought that the vessel was new and that he had already tested and found out her good qualities, Lieutenant Grant decided to put up with the loss of the man's services.
At 6 P.M.on the 18th the ship finally bade adieu to England.

At first she was scarcely able to keep pace with the big ships which bore her company, and very soon the Commodore despatched an officer to her commander to suggest that he should go into Falmouth and await there the departure of the West India Fleet.