John Bligh assumed command in May 1797 when "Latona" served as flagship to Admiral William Waldegrave. At the end of the month, she set sail for Newfoundland, where the Admiral was to serve as the newly-appointed governor. In November Frank Sotheron became "Latona"s captain and on 29 November was off Portugal when she captured the French Bordeaux-based privateer schooner "Aigle" about north by west from Lisbon. "Aigle" had sailed from near Bayonne, on 6 November, but had captured nothing. She was pierced for 14 guns but carried only 12 small carriage guns, and had a crew of 62 men under the command of Francis Harimendy.