Yorke was promoted to lieutenant on 16 June 1789, and moved aboard the 50-gun to serve under Admiral Sir Richard Hughes. He later served as lieutenant aboard and and in February 1791 he was appointed master and commander of the sloop . He remained aboard her, carrying out cruises into the English Channel until the outbreak of war with France in 1793. He was promoted to Post-Captain on 4 February 1793 and given command of the frigate , then part of a squadron under Admiral Richard Howe. He patrolled off the French port of Brest, and captured the corvette "L'Espiegle".