Underway on 23 November, "Ranger" was ordered to Commodore Whipple's squadron, arriving at Charleston on 23 December, to support the garrison there under siege by the British. On 24 January 1780, "Ranger" and "Providence", in a short cruise down the coast, captured three transports, loaded with supplies, near Tybee, Georgia. The British army tasked with capturing Charleston was also discovered in the area. "Ranger" and "Providence" sailed back to Charleston with the news. Shortly afterwards the British commenced the final push. Although the channel and harbor configuration made naval operations and support difficult, "Ranger" took a station in the Cooper River, and was captured when Charleston fell on 11 May 1780.