Ariane was commissioned on 9 January 1812 under Captain Jean-Baptiste-Henri Féretier.
Between 21 February 1812 and 17 May, a three-vessel French squadron consisting of the frigates Ariane and, and the brig engaged in commerce raiding in the Atlantic. They captured numerous British and American vessels and burnt them all, except for, M'Master, master, and Woodrup, Sims, master. They made a cartel of Patent, putting their British prisoners aboard her; she arrived at Plymouth on 24 May. The American prisoners the French put on Woodrop, which they sent to America.[1] Returning to Lorient, the squadron met the British 74-gun ship-of-the-line, Captain Henry Hotham. In the ensuing action of 22 May 1812, the two frigates ran aground trying to escape their much stronger opponent; their crews set them afire to prevent the frigates's capture.[2]