For this service he was rewarded with a more powerful ship, and from 1757 onwards commanded various frigates. In 1759 his ship "Melampe", with "Southampton", fought a spirited action with two hostile frigates of similar force, one of which became their prize. "Melampe" was attached to Augustus Keppel's squadron in 1761, but was in the main employed in detached duty and made many captures. In 1776, as a Commodore, Hotham served in North American waters, and he had a great share in the Battle of St. Lucia (15 December 1778).