 She had a somewhat turbulent career, being captured by the French in the action of 17 august 1779, and then re-captured by Britain in 1782.The "Ardent" was first commissioned in October 1774 under Captain Sir George Douglas.In 1778, under the command of Captain George Keppel, she was with Admiral Lord Howe's squadron off New York, defending the town from the larger French fleet under the command of Admiral d'Estaing.