 In June 1779 Inglefield was promoted to command of the brig-sloop HMS "Lively" and in the October of the following year was promoted to post captain and posted to HMS "Barfleur" of 90 guns, in which his patron, Sir Samuel Hood, hoisted his flag.As captain of the flagship, Inglefield sailed to the West Indies and took part in the skirmish with the French fleet off Martinique in 1781.In August of the same year Hood transferred him to HMS "Centaur" (74 guns), which Inglefield commanded in three actions against the French, culminating on 12 April 1782 at the Battle of the Saintes.