Between 1797 and 1802 she served the British Royal Navy as a hired armed ship, convoying vessels in the North Sea and transporting troops.

[5] On 24 April Good Intent arrived at Plymouth Sound with troops for Jersey and Guernsey.

The British government sent the reinforcements in response to reports that French troops were being sent to the coast opposite the Channel Isles and Marcou.

Because Good Design served in the navy's Egyptian campaign (8 March to 2 September 1801), her officers and crew qualified for the clasp "Egypt" to the Naval General Service Medal, which the Admiralty issued in 1847 to all surviving claimants.

[6] Elliott was one of the officers to whom the Turkish government presented gold medals for their service in Egypt.

Good Design, Fotheringham, master, was reported to have arrived at Gravesend from Memel on 22 July 1803.

On 23 March 1805 Good Design, Aitkens, master, was driven ashore on the coast of the Isle of Man and was wrecked.