He retired ashore after the war, and having embarked on a political career, represented both Scarborough and Minehead before his death at a relatively young age, in 1786.

[1] His first command at this level was to temporarily take over the 20-gun HMS Perseus, succeeding her regular captain, George Elphinstone, from August that year.

[5] Ambuscade was active in European waters, and Phipps enjoyed successes against French privateers, capturing the Prince de Montbarry on 28 June, and the 16-gun Hélène on 23 July 1779.

From there he moved to the Channel Fleet in 1780, which was then commanded by Sir Francis Geary, and on 4 July that year captured the privateer Eleonore.

He next commanded her at the relief of Gibraltar in 1781 with George Darby's fleet, and on 10 October that year assisted HMS Minerva in capturing the French 22-gun ship Jason off Cape Clear.

[7] Berwick served as part of Lord Howe's fleet for the third and final relief of Gibraltar in late 1782, and was in action at the Battle of Cape Spartel on 20 October 1782.

[7] Berwick was paid off in June 1783, after the end of the American War of Independence, and Phipps went ashore, apparently having no further seagoing commands.

[7] Phipps had embarked on a political career during the American War of Independence, and had been elected MP for Scarborough on 27 February 1779, succeeding another naval officer, Sir Hugh Palliser.