On 7 July 1693 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, and with his flag aboard the cruised the waters off Dunkirk with a small squadron. In December he headed south aboard the to join the Mediterranean Fleet under Sir Francis Wheler. Nevell survived the storm in the Strait of Gibraltar which led to the loss of Wheler and much of the squadron on 19 February 1694, collected the remnants and led them back to Cadiz. Nevell had wanted to continue into the Mediterranean, but was overruled by Dutch admiral Callenburgh who had taken command on Wheler's death. He spent the next two years as second in command in the Mediterranean, first under Edward Russell, then under George Rooke.