After the onset of war with France Britain's merchant fleet provided French, and later Dutch privateers with a target-rich environment.

The Royal Navy acquired Lady Cathcart in March 1797 at Leith and commissioned her as GB No.34 that month under the command of Lieutenant Alexander Pearson for the North Sea.

The "Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy" offered Meteor, of 154 tons, lying at Sheerness, for sale on 24 February 1802.

[2] The Register of Shipping carried Lady Cathcart, of 165 tons (bm), launched at Leith in 1794, from 1802 to 1818.

On 20 August 1816 Lloyd's List reported that Lady Cathcart, of Shields, had been sailing from Dundalk to Norway when she was driven on shore and bilged near Lough Swilly.