He was promoted to commander and appointed to the sloop HMS Cormorant and sailed for Jamaica in February 1795. He subsequently commanded HMS Hannibal, HMS Sampson and HMS Jamaica before being given the 74 gun HMS Leviathan. In 1798 he was appointed to HMS Prince George, the flagship of Sir William Parker. He subsequently transferred, with Admiral Parker, to HMS America and was court martialled when that ship was stranded on the Formigas in 1800. He was acquitted by the Court and appointed to HMS St Fiorenzo in 1802.
