In June 1780 he was appointed to the 74-gun HMS Edgar, one of the ships of the Channel Fleet, and continued in her until February 1782, taking part in the relief of Gibraltar in April 1781.

His daring and resolute conduct struck terror into the rest, and they returned to their duty; but the two men were promptly tried, convicted, and hanged on 8–9 July.

Of Peard's conduct on this occasion St. Vincent thought very highly, and many years afterwards wrote, 'his merit in facing the mutiny on board the St. George ought never to be forgotten or unrewarded'.

In March 1799 Peard commissioned the frigate HMS Success for the Mediterranean, and on his way out, when off Lisbon, fell in with and was chased by the Brest fleet.

He fell in with them off Cape Gata, but was prevented by calms and variable winds from passing, and, after a chase of three days, was overtaken and captured.

From the prisoners Ganteaume learned that the route to Egypt might be full of danger to himself, and turned aside to Toulon, whence Peard and his men were at once sent in a cartel to Port Mahon.

On his return to England he was appointed in June to HMS Audacious, in which he joined the squadron at Gibraltar under Sir James Saumarez, and took part in the actions at Algeciras on 6 July, and in the Straits on the night of the 12th.