He flew his flag for a brief time in May 1782 aboard the 60-gun , and then transferred to the 60-gun . He does not appear to have gone out with her to the Mediterranean with the fleet to relieve Gibraltar under Admiral Richard Howe. Lord Sandwich offered him further commands in the fleet under Rodney, but severe attacks of gout forced him to decline, and he eventually struck his flag and went ashore. He was nevertheless promoted to vice-admiral of the red in September 1787, and raised his pennant on .