On 4 June 1800 HMS Phoenix and HMS Port Mahon captured the French brig Albanaise. She was sailing from Toulon with provisions for Genoa when she encountered the Port Mahon, which initiated the chase about 35 miles west of Corsica. The chase lasted until early evening when Phoenix came up as Albanaise was just six miles out of Port Fino on Elba. Lieutenant Etiénne J. (or S.) P. Rolland fired two broadsides and then struck. (A subsequent court martial exonerated Rolland of the loss of his vessel.) HMS Haerlem shared in the capture, as did a number of other vessels in the squadron blockading Genoa.

The British took her into service as HMS Albanaise and commissioned her under the command of Lieutenant Francis Newcombe.