He served in the East Indies during the War of the Austrian Succession and was promoted by Admiral Thomas Griffin to be captain of the 50-gun  on 12 March 1748. Adams went on to serve under Admiral Edward Boscawen at the unsuccessful siege of Pondicherry in 1748 during the War of the Austrian Succession.
Adams held a military position in the East Indies during the War of the Austrian Succession, where he was promoted by Admiral Thomas Griffin to command a 50-gun ship on March 12, 1748. He later served under Admiral Edward Boscawen at the failed assault on Pondicherry in 1748.