Halsted was aboard "St Alban"s during Barrington's clashes with the Comte d'Estaing including at St Lucia on 15 December 1778 before his ship was ordered back to England with a convoy. "St Albans" was paid off shortly after her arrival, and her crew were transferred to the 74-gun . Halsted was rated master's mate during his time on the "Bellona", and was present at the battle with the 54-gun Dutch ship "Princess Caroline" on 30 December 1780. The "Princess Caroline" was captured and taken into the Royal Navy as . Lawrence's good service was rewarded with his lieutenant's commission dated 8 December 1781 and an appointment to the newly commissioned "Princess Caroline", now under Captain Hugh Bromedge.