Dampierre rose to Captain in 1772. He took part in the American Revolutionary War. On 6 July 1779, he commanded the 74-gun "Diadème" in the squadron of Vice-Admiral d'Estaing, taking part in the Battle of Granada against the British forces under Admiral Byron. In 1782, he was in command of "Bretagne". In 1748, he was promoted to chef d'escadre. In 1779, he joined the Knights Hospitalier.