 In 1727 Balchen was part of a mission to resupply besieged Gibraltar, although, by the time the fleet arrived, the siege had been broken.In 1728, Balchen received promotion to Rear-Admiral.In 1731, after a period in command of the 60-gun HMS "Dreadnought", Balchen took over the 80-gun HMS "Princess Amelia" and commanded her in support of a Spanish landing at Livorno.