 He was praised for marshalling the evacuation of the ship and controlling the survivors in the water until they could be rescued by the boats of HMS "Veteran", HMS "Russell" and other neighbouring vessels.Bullen was promoted to commander for his actions and returned to his Dorset home on half pay, where he spent the next three and a half years with his wife and family.In June 1801, Bullen was despatched in the sloop HMS "Wasp" to Sierra Leone, where a powerful allegiance of native tribal leaders were threatening British trade interests.