The Shark put to sea from New York on 26 February and joined Commodore James Biddle's squadron for the suppression of piracy and slave trading in the West Indies.

On 5 October, she sailed from New York carrying Commodore John Rodgers and three Navy surgeons to Key West to determine the suitability of the location as a naval base.

The busy schooner sailed again on 24 July for a cruise to the Newfoundland fisheries to defend American interests there and returned on 6 October.

In 1833, the Shark was relieved in the West Indies by the schooner Experiment, and sailed for the Mediterranean, where she remained for the next five years, cruising extensively in order to protect American commerce.

She cleared Gibraltar for the United States on 22 January 1838 and sailing by way of the West Indies, arrived at the Norfolk Navy Yard on 24 March.

She was the first United States man-of-war to pass through the Straits of Magellan from east to west, a feat accomplished on 13 December 1839 en route to Callao, Peru.

During the next five years, she spent much of her time along the coast of Peru to protect American citizens and property during civil disturbances in that country.

On 1 April 1846, Shark was ordered to Honolulu, Hawaii for repairs in preparation for an exploratory voyage up the Columbia River, "to obtain correct information of that country and to cheer our citizens in that region by the presence of the American flag."

[2] Saules "was also facing one of the world's most difficult rivers to navigate..."[3] Commanding officer Lieutenant Neil M. Howison described the subsequent events:[Saules] ordered the helm put up, head sheets aft, and yards braced, with an air that deceived me into the belief that he was fully competent to conduct the vessel, and he was put in charge of her.

As it was known that the Columbia bar had changed position since the last survey was made by Charles Wilkes, the following day was spent making new observations and other preparations for crossing.

Upon learning of the vessel's demise, the Royal Navy and Hudson's Bay Company's officers at Fort Vancouver immediately coordinated and dispatched a relief effort, including food, tobacco, and clothing.

Lt. Howison soon returned to Fort Vancouver, where he acquired additional supplies and on 16 November chartered the Hudson's Bay Company schooner Cadboro.