Bligh was given command of the 74-gun in January 1809. "Valiant" was patrolling off Lorient, and Bligh temporarily took command of the 74-gun and sailed her to join the squadron there. While en route he fell in with a French squadron of eight ships of the line, which followed "Revenge" until she was able to make contact with the British squadron under the command of Captain Sir John Beresford, causing the French to break off. Bligh then sailed with Beresford's squadron to join Admiral Lord Gambier off Basque Roads. Bligh was present during the night-attack with fireships by Lord Cochrane on the French fleet in the roads. The following morning, 12 April, Gambier sent Bligh into the harbour with HMS "Valiant", HMS "Revenge", and several frigates and bomb vessels, and to anchor near the Île-d'Aix. Having done so Bligh asked permission to support Cochrane, which was given. He moved into the inner road and joined the attacks on the forts and several beached French warships, and having taken out the prisoners, burnt the 118-gun "Ville de Varsovie" and the 74-gun "Aquilon". In the summer of 1809 he was called as a witness at the Court-martial of James, Lord Gambier which assessed whether Admiral Gambier had failed to support Cochrane during the battle. Gambier was controversially cleared of all charges.