 He had been promoted to post captain on 12 August 1785; he had been captain of the hired armed ship .Rolles sailed "Laurel" for the coast of Africa and then the Leeward Islands.In May 1796 "Laurel" participated in the capture of Santa Lucia under Rear Admiral SirHugh Cloberry Christian and General Ralph Abercrombie, and shared in the prize money for the capture.