On 26 January 1801, the British frigate "Oiseau" encountered the French frigate "Dédaigneuse" and gave chase. "Sirius" and "Amethyst" joined the next day. On the 28th "Oiseau" and "Sirius" effected the capture while unfavorable winds kept "Amethyst" from joining the action. "Dédaigneuse" was brought into the Royal Navy as HMS "Dedaigneuse". The next day "Sirius" was in company with "Amethyst" when they captured the Spanish letter of marque "Charlotta" of Ferol, 16 hours out of Ferol on her way to Curaçao. The capture took place about six or seven leagues from Cape Belem in Galicia. The hired armed cutter Earl of St Vincent shared in the capture.