"Ranger" sailed from Brest 10 April 1778, for the Irish Sea and four days later captured a prize between the Scilly Isles and Cape Clear. On 17 April, she took another prize and sent her back to France. Captain Jones led a raid on the English port of Whitehaven, 23 April, spiking the guns of the fortress, but failing in his attempt to burn the ships in the harbor. Sailing across the bay to St. Mary's Isle, Scotland, the American captain planned to seize the Earl of Selkirk and hold him as a hostage and use him to make several political demands. However, since the Earl was absent, the plan failed. Several Royal Navy vessels were searching for "Ranger", and Captain Jones sailed across the North Channel to Carrickfergus, Ireland, to induce of 14 guns, to come out and fight. "Drake" came out slowly against the wind and tide, and, after an hour's battle, the battered "Drake" struck her colors, with eight sailors being killed in action during the engagement. Having made temporary repairs, and with a prize crew on "Drake", "Ranger" continued around the west coast of Ireland, capturing a lone storeship, and arrived at Brest with her prizes on 8 May.