Soon after her commissioning, from June to September 1779, "Auguste" patroles the Channel under Captain de Rochechouart. She took part in the Battle of St. Lucia, the Battle of Fort Royal and the Battle of the Chesapeake under Captain Castellan, as flagship of the Blue-and-White squadron under Chef d'Escadre Bougainville. She was also at the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782.