During the early part of April 1779, "Providence" was ordered to make a short cruise in Massachusetts Bay and along the coast of Maine. She later sailed south of Cape Cod and captured the brig , 12 guns off Sandy Hook on 7 May. She fired two broadsides and a volley of muskets during the engagement and "Diligent" was forced to surrender, with mast rigging and hull cut to pieces. "Providence" was then assigned to Commodore Saltonstall's squadron which departed Boston on 19 July 1779 and entered Penobscot Bay 25 July.