He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1746. In February 1747, he was given command of the 40-gun frigate "Atalante", and cruised off Saint-Domingue with "Sirène", under Guichen. Later that year, on 25 October 1747, he distinguished himself at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre. In 1751, he captained the 24-gun frigate "Friponne" for missions off Saint-Domingue.