Inglis then went out to the Mediterranean, taking part in the blockade of Malta as a lieutenant aboard the 36-gun , serving under Captain Sir Henry Blackwood. He was present at the action of 31 March 1800, when the 80-gun French "Guillaume Tell" attempted to escape Malta under Rear-Admiral Denis Decrès. The French ship's departure was observed by lookouts on "Penelope" and the frigate harassed the fleeing French ship until the larger ships under Captain Manley Dixon, and under Captain Sir Edward Berry, could come up and join the engagement. Worn down, the "Guillaume Tell" was forced to surrender after being dismasted. Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson wrote personally to Inglis after the capture; "My dear Sir, how fortunate I did not allow you to quit the Penelope to be junior Lieutenant in the Foudroyant! You will now get your promotion in the pleasantest of all ways, by the gallant exertions of yourself and those brave friends who surrounded you on that glorious night. What a triumph for you - what a pleasure for me! What happiness to have the Nile Fleet all taken, under my orders and regulations! Blackwood's coming to me at Malta, and my keeping him there, was something more than chance. Ever my dear Sir, believe me your truly sincere friend, Nelson and Bronte."