On 20 March 1822 the "Heroína" was met by the Portuguese 44-gun frigate "Pérola" off Gibraltar. The "Pérola" managed to approach the "Heroína" and fired a broadside at point-blank range, ravaging the deck on the "Heroína" and forcing Mason to surrender. The "Heroína" was taken to Lisbon as a prize. For his action the Portuguese commander, captain Marçal de Ataíde Barahona, was made a knight of the Portuguese Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit. The actions of the "Heroína" in seizing Portuguese ships led to her being labelled as a pirate ship.