 He then moved aboard and promoted to commander in June 1782, after which he was given command of the sloop "Pachahunter", and then and , on the Home and Mediterranean Stations.Gould spent 13 months aboard the "Pylades", during which time he was active in anti-smuggling operations.He then spent four years on half-pay, before being promoted to post-captain on 23 March 1789, and assigned to the command of the frigate .