HMS Bustler (1805)
HMS "Bustler" was launched at Topsham in 1805. The French captured her in 1808 when she stranded and attempts to set fire to her failed. The French Navy took her into service as "Bustler". The British recaptured her in 1813 when attempts by her crew to scuttle her failed. The Royal Navy did not take her into service and her subsequent disposition is currently obscure. Royal Navy. In February 1806 "Bustler" was under the command of Lieutenant Richard Welch. The gunbrigs "Bustler", , and shared in the proceeds from the capture on 13 August 1806 of "Experiencia". In  1807 Lieutenant Edward Morris was in temporary command until Lieutenant Welch returned to command. "Blazer", "Bustler", and shared in the proceeds of the detention on 27 August 1807 of "Hausstind", Auroe, master. "Blazer", "Bustler", and shared in the proceeds when their boats detained "Eos" and "Amicitia" on 28 August. That same month "Blazer", "Bustler", and "Furious" detained "Rosenora". On 1 June 1808 "Bustler", under Welch's command, captured the French schooner "Deux Guillaume" and the boats "Felix" and "Bien Venu". Capture: On 26 December 1808 "Bustler" was cruising off the north coast of France when she ran aground in thick  weather. As the tide went out she fell on her side. As the weather cleared it was found that she was about two hundred yards from Cape Gris-Nez. Welch put "Bustler"s boats into the water to pull her off, but a shore battery started an accurate fire on her. Welch ordered most of the crew aboard the boats, which took them off. He stayed behind with a small party to set fire to her. The cutter "Nymphe" came up and picked up the crew. Welch and his men set fire to "Bustler" and then rowed to the cutter. When  the fire appeared to go out "Nymphe" attempted to return to "Bustler", but luggers and gunboats could be seen approaching from Calais and Boulogne and the British gave up and sailed off. The subsequent court martial blamed the grounding on negligence by the master and pilot. It ordered them dismissed the service, mulcted of all pay, and to be immprisoned for a year. French Navy. The French Navy purchased "Bustler" on 18 March 1809 and commissioned her on 16 April. On 8 December 1813 , under the command of Captain Lord George Stuart, and captured the island of Schowen during the  Dutch uprising. The two British ships landed a small joint force of marines and seamen, who met no opposition as the French surrendered first. In addition to prisoners, guns, and arms, the British re-captured a French gunboat and a brig of 14 guns that turned out to be "Bustler". "Bustler" had been serving as station ship at Zierikzee, the capital of Schowen. was in company. Fate. "Bustler"s subsequent disposition is currently obscure. Notes, citations, and references. Notes Citations References