Pellew first went to sea aboard the sloop in 1771, serving in the West Indies. He went to the North American station on the frigate HMS "Flora" in 1776. Pellew was promoted to lieutenant in the in April 1779 and then served on the frigates and "Apollo". He was placed in command of the cutter in the North Sea in 1782. In 1783 he captured the Dutch privateer "Flushinger" in a single-ship action. "Resolution" transferred to the Irish station, with Pellew remaining in command until 1787. In March 1789 he joined , and was promoted to commander in 1790, but was not employed again during the peace.