Early in 1810, "Spartan" was attached to Rear Admiral George Martin's squadron at Palermo and was given orders to cruise between Sicily and Naples. While cruising in company with the frigate HMS "Success" and the brig-sloop HMS "Espoir" on 25 April they spotted a convoy of enemy merchant vessels that made sail for the anchorage under the castle at Terracina. Brenton dispatched boarding parties to the anchorage in the boats of "Spartan" and "Success" which, supported by fire from the British ships, captured four merchant vessels laden with lead ore.