Shortland served in Egypt and then on the "Dolphin" and the "Trompeuse". He went to Guinea and after the death of its captain, became captain of the "Squirrel". In 1805 at Halifax he was made captain of the "Juno", a captured 40 gun French frigate. In 1809 he made a brave but unsuccessful attack on four French ships. The "Juno" was destroyed and Shortland died of his wounds. The French buried him with military honours at Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe.