 He was appointed to command on 4 February 1755 and petitioned the Duke of Newcastle, then prime minister, for promotion to flag rank, on the strength of his family's support of the government.However, a damaging accident to his reputation occurred soon after, while acting with Admiral Hawke's fleet off France.Sent on 22 August 1755 to chase a ship to the south-east, he became detached from the fleet.