 In a series of expeditions over the next three years, he repeatedly bombarded Sousse (5 October 1784, for three nights in April 1785, and in 26 September–6 October 1787), Biserte (30 May to 10 August 1787), Sfax (15–17 August 1785, and 6, 18, and 22 March 30 April and 4 May 1786), and La Goulette (on 1, 3, 5, 9 October 1758), where he utilized floating batteries of his own invention.These operations not only caused great damage and casualties in these cities, but also confined the Tunisian fleet to its harbours.The Senate rejected his requests of a 10,000-man expeditionary force with which to assault and capture Tunis, however.