On 20 December 1782 Diomede, and the sister 32-gun frigates – Quebec, Captain Christopher Mason, and Astraea, Captain Matthew Squires – captured the South Carolina Navy's frigate South Carolina in the Delaware River.
South Carolina, under Captain John Joyner, was attempting to dash out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through the British blockade.
She was in the company of the brig Constance, schooner Seagrove and the ship Hope, which had joined her for protection.

The British chased South Carolina for 18 hours and fired on her for two hours before she struck.
She had a crew of about 466 men when captured, of whom she had lost six killed or wounded.
The British suffered no casualties.

Astraea and Quebec also captured Hope and Constance, which was carrying tobacco.
Prize crews then took South Carolina, Hope, and Constance to New York.
Seagrove escaped.
 Prize money was paid in 1784.

Diomede was paid off in December 1783, after the end of the war.
She was recommissioned in March 1793 under Captain Matthew Smith.
On 17 November 1793, Smith sailed Diomede for the East Indies.
On 20 December 1782 Diomede, and the sister 32-gun frigates – Quebec, Captain Christopher Mason, and Astraea, Captain Matthew Squires – captured the South Carolina Navy's frigate South Carolina in the Delaware River. South Carolina, under Captain John Joyner, was attempting to dash out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through the British blockade. She was in the company of the brig Constance, schooner Seagrove and the ship Hope, which had joined her for protection.
The British chased South Carolina for 18 hours and fired on her for two hours before she struck. She had a crew of about 466 men when captured, of whom she had lost six killed or wounded. The British suffered no casualties.
Astraea and Quebec also captured Hope and Constance, which was carrying tobacco. Prize crews then took South Carolina, Hope, and Constance to New York. Seagrove escaped.  Prize money was paid in 1784.
Diomede was paid off in December 1783, after the end of the war. She was recommissioned in March 1793 under Captain Matthew Smith. On 17 November 1793, Smith sailed Diomede for the East Indies.
HMS Diomede (1781)