On his return to England, was appointed to command the 50-gun , which sailed with Admiral John Byng to the Mediterranean in March 1756. In the Battle of Minorca, off Cape Mola on 20 May, the admiral ordered the "Deptford" to quit the line of battle, to be ready to assist any ship, as directed. Amherst took no part in the battle, except to assist the disabled . The following year he commanded the 64-gun during the Louisbourg Expedition, under Francis Holburne and Boscawen; and in 1761 commanded the 74-gun ship at the capture of Belle Île.