On 1 May 1811 "Guerriere" stopped the brig off New Jersey's Sandy Hook, impressing the apprentice sailing master of "Spitfire" (and citizen of Maine), John Diggio. Fifteen days later, the frigate mistook the sixth-rate for "Guerriere" and attempted to recover Diggio, leading to the Little Belt affair. The incident provoked a diplomatic furor and contributed to the tense atmosphere prior to the War of 1812. Pechell stayed with "Guerriere" until July 1811, when he returned to his previous ship, HMS "Cleopatra". He was replaced by Captain James Dacres, and in April 1811, she sailed for the Halifax Station.