In 1874, while captain of the "Audacious", he served for three years as flag-captain to Vice-Admiral Ryder in China; and finally he was appointed, in 1880, to command the "Thunderer" in the Mediterranean. The next year he was appointed captain of the steam reserve at Portsmouth. After serving three years in that capacity, he remained at Portsmouth as flag-captain to the commander-in-chief until 1886, when he was retired by superannuation before he had attained flag rank. Subsequently, he became rear-admiral, and finally vice-admiral on the retired list.