 The same year, he received the shore position commanding the guardship HMS "Orford" in the Medway.In 1718, war once again broke out and experienced officers were immediately given sea postings, Balchen in the 80-gun HMS "Shrewsbury" in the fleet of Sir George Byng.Arriving in the Mediterranean, Vice-Admiral Charles Cornewall made "Shrewsbury" his flagship and Balchen his flag captain, a position which remained until December of that year.