Queen Anne issued a Royal Warrant on 1 June 1702 under which Donegall's Regiment was one of six regiments designated for "sea service" and put under the command of the Royal Navy. The troops embarked on several ships in June 1702, and took part in the Battle of Cádiz in August 1702 and the defence of Gibraltar in spring 1705 as well as the siege of Barcelona, where the Earl of Donegall was killed on 16 April 1706. On his death Brigadier Richard Gorges was appointed colonel, with the unit becoming Gorges's Regiment of Foot.