Obtained his first commission on the 21st Sept. 1807; and served under Captain (afterwards Rear-Admiral) James Walker, in the Bedford 74, on various stations, from Sept. 1810, until that ship was paid off, on her return from the coast of America, in 1815^[1]. He was subsequently appointed to the Northumberland 74, a guard ship commanded by the same veteran officer. His promotion to the rank of commander took place on the 11th May, 1827.