He achieved post rank on 14 December 1688, when Lord Dartmouth gave him command of the . At the battle of Beachy Head he commanded the . He fought at the battle of Barfleur on 19 May 1692, commanding the in the van of the red squadron, under the immediate orders of Sir Ralph Delaval. He was appointed to command the in 1693, the in 1695, the in 1696, and the in 1697. In May 1699 he was given command of the , only to be moved to the two months later and sent to the Mediterranean in command of a small squadron. Here, he negotiated a treaty with the dey of Algiers for the regulation of ships' passes, and obtained the release of English slaves. He returned to England in November 1700.