The Admiralty purchased Shillelagh in January 1782 and she underwent fitting at Plymouth between February and June.

In November Commander Robert Burton commissioned Bustler for the Irish Sea.

Still, Captain Henry Passmore acquired a letter of marque on 4 March 1793 for Bustler.

[4] Neckar, Mitchell, master, prize to Bustler, arrived at Gravesend on 21 October 1793.

The reduction indicated that she was no longer engaged in privateering as she would not have enough men for prize crews on captures.