They managed to capture only a single British fishing smack before the 40-gun frigate HMS Artois, under the command of Captain John MacBride, sighted them off Flamborough Head at 10 o'clock in the morning on 3 December.

[2] Impressed by MacBride's report, the Admiralty approved their purchase for service with the Royal Navy, and she was registered as the sloop HMS Pylades on 16 February 1782.

[1][5] MacBride's report, though it convinced the Admiralty to acquire the two ships, was apparently greeted with 'much mirth, on account of the singular manner in which it was worded'.

[6] Pylades was fitted out at Deptford between February and 16 October 1782, with her armament consisting of 18 short nine-pounders and ten ½-pounder swivel guns.

[1] During this time Pylades was paid off in May 1783 but recommissioned that same month under Osborn with orders to patrol in the Western Approaches.

[1] On 6 October 1785, Pylades stationed a cutter off the Ram Head to intercept any smuggling boats that might attempt to land.

[1] Commander John Stevens Hall became Pylades's new captain in or around March 1789, and served as such until the sloop was paid off in December that year.