Between 11 May and 7 September 1854, when news was received of the declaration of war at the start of the Crimean War in the Black Sea, the British force on the China and Japan station consisted of "President", Captain Richard Burridge, , Captain Sir Frederick William Erskine Nicolson, Bart., , Captain Charles Frederick, , Captain Wallace Houstoun, and , Commander Edward Marshall, all under Rear-Admiral David Price on "President". The French Navy force, under Rear-Admiral Auguste Febvrier-Despointes, consisted of "Forte", "Eurydice", "Artemise", and "Obligado". "President" participated in the Siege of Petropavlovsk and in a number of operations, none of which were carried through to a satisfactory conclusion. During the exchange of fire with the Russian batteries, Price retired to his cabin and shot himself. After suffering heavy casualties in a ground attack, the Allies withdrew, although "President" and "Virago" managed to capture and burn the Russian transport "Sitka", of 10 guns, and take the small schooner "Avatska", laden with stores. The British and French then left the area on 7 September.