"Pandora" was ordered to be brought back into service on 30 June 1790 when war between England and Spain seemed likely due to the Nootka Crisis. However, in early August 1790, 5 months after learning of the mutiny on HMS "Bounty", the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham, decided to despatch the ship to recover the "Bounty", capture the mutineers, and return them to England for trial. "Pandora" was refitted, and her 9-pounder guns were reduced to 20 in number, though an extra four 18-pounder carronades were added.