The captured "Hoche" was towed by the "Doris" to Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland; taken into service and renamed HMS "Donegal", after the action in which she had been captured. She spent 1800 in Plymouth, and in 1801 came under the command of Captain Sir Richard Strachan, with William Bissell as her first lieutenant from 1801 until December 1805. "Donegal" was initially deployed in the English Channel, but following the outbreak of hostilities with Spain, she was assigned to watch the French squadron at Cadiz. Whilst on this station, she spotted and gave chase to the large 42-gun Spanish frigate "Amfitrite" in November 1804. After pursuing her for 46 hours, "Amfitrite" lost her mizzen-top-mast and "Donegal" subsequently overhauled her.