Latona was commissioned in March 1781, and in the August following, she participated in the Battle of Dogger Bank under the command of Captain Hyde Parker. His father, Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, 5th Baronet, commanded the fleet at the battle. Great Britain had declared war on the Dutch Republic in December 1780, following the latter's refusal to cease trading with emerging United States. Since then, the British had been blockading the Dutch coast while protecting its own merchant shipping. Latona was one of the escorts accompanying a convoy of ships from the Baltic on 5 August.Clowes (Vol.III) p. 505 At 04:00, a Dutch fleet was seen. Admiral Hyde Parker immediately dispatched his convoy toward the English coast, and ordered a general chase.Clowes (Vol.III) p. 506 The Dutch admiral, Johan Zoutman, chose to keep his convoy under his lee. After a bloody battle with casualties high on both sides, the Dutch returned to Texel, whence they came.Clowes (Vol.III) p. 508
