 He volunteered to lead an assault on the French ships moored at Golfe Jouan, and was appointed to command "Poulette" and ordered to fit her as fireship, with the intention of firing the fleet.He eventually made five attempts to take her into the anchorage, but the wind prevented him on each occasion.He was assigned to command HMS "Mignonne" on 12 January 1796, but the commander in chief, Sir John Jervis instead moved him to HMS "Unite".