In 1798, Earl St. Vincent was launched at Gatcombe, which is on the Severn. At first, she traded between Jamaica and Bristol. She then made one trip for the British East India Company (EIC) as an "extra ship," or under voyage charter. When she got back, she traded with the West Indies once more until she was caught in 1806.
P. Wade, the master and owner, and Earl St. Vincent entered Lloyd's Register in 1798 for the trade Bristol—Jamaica. She was built to be a packet ship that could sail quickly.

A marque letter was obtained by Peter Wade. Wade advertised her as sailing from Bristol to Jamaica with himself serving as master in September 1799, but in December he advertised her for sale. He advertised her as sailing with master Robert Williams to Madeira and Jamaica in January 1800. She then seems to have taken a boat to the West Indies and returned to London.

Earl St. Vincent was chartered by the EIC in 1800 for a trip to India and back. She had been presented to the EIC by Messrs. Princip and Saunders to bring back rice from Bengal. Between December 1800 and February 1801, she was one of 28 ships on that mission.