On 11 April 1781, "Minerva" was serving with Vice-Admiral George Darby's Channel Fleet off Cape St Vincent when the British spotted three vessels. Darby sent , , and "Minerva" in pursuit, but the three vessels, which turned out to be enemy frigates, made it safely to Cadiz. Some time thereafter vessels of the Fleet made attacks on some gunboats, during which "Minerva" had some men badly wounded. "Minerva" was among the many ships of Darby's Fleet that shared in the prize money for the capture of "Duc de Chartres", the Spanish frigate "Santa Leocadia", and the French brig "Trois Amis".