In 1786 he suffered a set-back in his career, being paid off from the Royal Navy (together with many others). He then joined the Russian navy as a lieutenant. Serving there for four years his most dramatic actions were the Battle of Ochakov in 1788 (against the Turks) the Battle of Kerch Strait in 1790 (also against the Turks) and the Battle of Svensksund on 9/10 July 1790 against the Swedish. He was wounded in both the first and last battles. He returned to Britain in 1791 to recover. He then rejoined the Royal Navy as a midshipman serving on under Leveson-Gower. Presumably dissatisfied he briefly rejoined the East India Company before the war with France erupted in 1793 at which point he rejoined the navy. He took a place as Master’s Mate on under Captain Theophilus Jones. Ultimately he became acting lieutenant on the Chatham-built . Here he saw action against the French in Lord Howe’s fleet during the Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794.