"Vixen", as part of long expected reinforcements from England and India for the First Anglo-Chinese War, HMS "Hazard" amongst them, joined the British fleet at anchor of Chapoo, China, in May 1842, Then whilst off Woosung following the capture of the town, "Vixen" was placed in company with HM Ships "Cornwallis", "Calliope", transport "Marion" with Sir Hugh Gough and staff, and seven other transports in the first of the six divisions of the General Squadron, for the cruise up the Yangtze river on 6 July to Nanking. She took "Cornwallis" in tow up to Kin Shan (Golden Island). In the afternoon of 15 July, Gough and Sir William Parker went on in the "Vixen" to reconnoitre Kin Shan and the approaches to Chinkiang at the entrance of the South Grand Canal. "Vixen's" officers and sailors assisted in the storming and capture of Chinkiang on 21 July 1842.