Ariane was commissioned on 1 August 1811 under Captain Nicolas Morice, as part of a two-frigate squadron tasked with commerce raiding in the Atlantic, that also comprised Ariane and the brig Mameluck. Returning to Lorient, the squadron met with met the 74-gun HMS Northumberland. In the ensuing Action of 22 May 1812, the two frigates ran aground trying to escape their much stronger opponent, and were set afire to prevent their capture.