"Guerrière" was despatched from Lorient on 28 March 1806 in company with the frigates "Revanche" and "Sirène", and the brig-corvette "Néarque", with orders to attack and destroy British and Russian whalers in the Arctic, off Greenland. She became separated from the rest of the squadron, but was able to capture and burn several whaling vessels. By 16 July, news of her activities, including a recent sighting off the Faroe Islands reached Captain Thomas Lavie aboard the frigate HMS "Blanche", then off the Shetland Islands. "Blanche" quickly sailed to the reported area and on 18 July, sighted "Guerrière". At this point "Guerrière" was carrying 50 guns, to "Blanche"’s 46.