Promoted to post-captain in June 1743 (with an effective date of 26 September 1741), Saunders was given command of the fourth-rate HMS "Plymouth" in December 1743, the fifth-rate HMS "Sapphire" in December 1744 and the fourth-rate HMS "Dunkirk" in 1745. He went on to take command of the fourth-rate HMS "Gloucester" in 1747 and led her in action at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre in October 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession. After that he became captain of the third-rate HMS "Yarmouth" later that year and of the fourth-rate HMS "Tiger" in 1749.