_March 15, 1877._ Appointed Flag-Captain to Admiral Sir A. Cooper-Key, Commander-in-Chief, North American Station, in the “Bellerophon.” _June 7, 1878._ Appointed Flag-Captain to Admiral Sir A. Cooper-Key, Commanding the Particular Service Squadron, in the “Hercules.” _January 1, 1879._ Appointed in command of the “Pallas,” corvette, on Mediterranean Station, returning home in July. President of a Committee for the revision of the “Gunnery Manual of the Fleet.” _September 25, 1879._ Appointed Flag-Captain to Vice-Admiral Sir Leopold M’Clintock, Commander-in-Chief, North American Station, in the “Northampton.” _January 18, 1881._ Appointed to command the “Inflexible,” the largest ship in the Navy. _July 11, 1882._ Took part in the bombardment of Alexandria. Afterwards landed with the Naval Brigade at Alexandria. Arranged for the first “armoured train,” and commanded it in various skirmishes with the enemy. _August 14, 1882._ Awarded the C.B. for service at Alexandria; also Egyptian Medal, with Alexandria Clasp; Khedive’s Bronze Star; Order of Osmanieh, 3rd Class; etc. _November 9, 1882._ Invalided home through illness contracted on active service. _April 6, 1883._ Appointed in command of “Excellent,” gunnery schoolship. _1884._ Collaborated with Mr. W. T. Stead in the production of “The Truth About the Navy,” resulting in increased Navy Estimates and the opening of a new era in the provision of an adequate Fleet. _November 1, 1886._ Appointed Director of Naval Ordnance, occupying this post four and a half years. Carried out the transfer of the control of naval ordnance from the War Office to the Admiralty. _August 2, 1890._ Promoted to Rear-Admiral. _May 21, 1891._ Appointed Admiral-Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard. Expedited the completion of the “Royal Sovereign,” first of a new type of battleships. Acted as host when the French Squadron under Admiral Gervais visited the Dockyard, 1891. _February 1, 1892._ Appointed Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy, and served in the administrations of Lord George Hamilton, Earl Spencer, and Mr. G. J. Goschen as First Lords; and Admirals Sir A. Hood, Sir A. H. Hoskins and Sir F. W. Richards as First Sea Lords. During this period the firm stand of the Admiralty Board brought about the resignation of Mr. Gladstone, March 3, 1894. _May 26, 1894._ Appointed K.C.B. _May 8, 1896._ Promoted to Vice-Admiral. _August 24, 1897._ Hoisted his flag in H.M.S. “Renown” as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station. _1899._ Attended the first Hague Peace Conference as Naval Delegate. _July 1, 1899._