In 1803, under the command of Captain James Walker, "Vanguard" was operating out of Jamaica on the Blockade of Saint-Domingue. On 30 June, and her squadron under Captain Henry William Bayntun were between Jean-Rabel and St. Nichola Mole in the West Indies, having just parted with a convoy when they spotted a sail of what appeared to be a large French warship. "Cumberland" and "Vanguard" approached her and after a few shots from "Vanguard" the French vessel surrendered, having suffered two men badly wounded, and being greatly outgunned. She proved to be the frigate "Créole", of 44 guns, primarily 18-pounders, under the command of Citizen Le Ballard. She had been sailing from Cape François to Port au Prince with General Morgan (the second in command in San Domingo), his staff, and 530 soldiers, in addition to her crew of 150 men. The Royal Navy took her into service as HMS "Creole".