	Promoted to post captain on 25 June 1756, Innes was given command of the sixth-rate HMS "Mermaid" in 1756. He then took command of the fourth-rate HMS "Enterprise" in 1758 and of the third-rate HMS "Hampton Court" in 1762 and took part in the Battle of Havana in summer of that year during the Anglo-Spanish War. After that he was then given command of the second-rate HMS "Queen" in 1778. He went on to be Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station with his flag in the 50-gun in 1786 but died in office.