 He was twice captured by the French in action, both times being exonerated and commended for the defence of his ships against overwhelming odds.Balchen died in the shipwreck of the 100-gun first-rate HMS "Victory" off the Casquets in the Channel Islands during operations to deter French blockading of Spanish and Portuguese ports during the War of the Austrian Succession.A capable and efficient officer, Balchen never found the wealth and prestige fellow officers secured in other commissions, a fact which remained a source of frustration to him until his elevation to knighthood shortly before his death.