Protecting the East India convoy and sponsoring Jervis

After moving from Montagu to HMS Superb, Rowley escorted an East India Company convoy home despite a French threat. The company and London merchants rewarded his conduct with a silver centerpiece. His squadron included the young John Jervis, whom Rowley sponsored, while he also helped Erasmus Gower gain acting lieutenant rank and later Portuguese service. Rowley's effectiveness is attributed to three years in Montagu, long enough to know the crew closely and develop a well-trained command team that could carry experience into later assignments. The dependable subordinate was now becoming a patron and force multiplier in his own right.