Tuscan was commissioned in August 1808 in the Mediterranean under Commander John Gourley (acting). One month later Commander John Wilson replaced Gourly. Between 30 October and 1 November
Tuscan was part of Admiral
Benjamin Hallowell's squadron at the Bay of
Rosas. On 30 October, boats from
Tuscan joined with boats from , , , , , , and in a cutting out attack after a squadron off the south of France chased an enemy convoy into the Bay of Rosas in the
Battle of Maguelone. The convoy had lost its escorting ships of the line, and , which had run aground near
Frontignan and been scuttled by their crew. Still an armed storeship of 18 guns, two bombards, and a
xebec protected the convoy. Some of the British boats took heavy casualties in the clash, but
Tuscan had only one officer slightly wounded, and one seaman dangerously wounded. By the following morning the British had accounted for all eleven vessels in the bay, burning those they did not bring out. In January 1813, prize money was awarded to the British vessels that took part in the action for the capture of the ships of war
Grondeur and
Normande, and of the transports
Dragon and
Indien. A court declared a joint captor. Head money was also paid for the
Grondeur and
Normande and for the destruction of
Lamproie and
Victoire. In 1847 the Admiralty awarded the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "1 Nov. Boat Service 1809" to all surviving claimants from the action. In December 1810 Commander George Matthew Jones replaced Wilson. However, in January 1811, Lieutenant Phillips (acting) took temporary command. Jones returned to command by February, holding it until through 1812. In 1811
Tuscan supported the British Army in Spain, especially in the efforts to break the siege of Cadiz by landing troops to attack the French at
Isla de León. In 20 February a naval force of warships and transports under the command of Captain
Edwin Brace HMS St Albans weighed anchor. The 7000 troops Lieutenant-General
Thomas Graham landed at
Algeciras and marched to
Tariffa. There the transports the artillery and military stores in heavy surf. Subsequently, Graham participated in the
Battle of Barrossa.The Royal Navy ships involved, in addition to ''St Alban's
and Tuscan
, included , , Sabine'', , and . In October, a French force was pressing on Spanish General
Francisco Ballesteros in the vicinity of
San Roque, Cádiz. Ballasteros asked for assistance. Rear-Admiral
Legge, the commander of the British fleet at Cadiz, dispatched a force on 11 October to
Tariffa to come to his assistance. , and
Tuscan carried eight companies each from the
47th and
87th regiments of foot, a detachment of 70 men from the
95th Regiment, and four light artillery pieces. The troops landed on 18 October and the next day the French advanced along the coast. Fire from
Tuscan,
Statelys boats, and Gunboat 14 sent them into retreat. When the
War of 1812 broke out, the British captured several American ships in the Mediterranean.
Tuscan shared with
San Juan,
Sabine, , , and in the American
droits for
Phoenix,
Margaret,
Allegany and
Tyger, captured on 8 August 1812.
Tuscan arrived at Portsmouth on 11 October, having convoyed transports from Gibraltar. On 6 or 8 July 1815 a privateer of one gun and 20 men came into Genoa.
Tuscan had captured her off Elba, of 3 July.
Tuscan arrived at Portsmouth on 29 November from the west. However, she did not sell. Still, though in
ordinary at Plymouth,
Tuscan was able to be of some use. On 8 November 1817 the port authorities moored her to serve as a breakwater sheltering workmen building a new pier. Finally, after numerous unsuccessful listings,
Tuscan sold on 29 January 1818 Thomas Pittman for £800. ==Whaler==