Obtained his first commission on the 2d Aug. 1826; and was appointed to the Donegal 78, Captain John Dick, May 25th, 1831 . He continued in that ship, under the flag of Sir Pulteney Malcolm, on the North Sea station, during the blockade of the Dutch ports; and in May 1833, became flag-lieutenant to Sir William Hargood, commander-in-chief at Plymouth. His promotion to the rank of commander took place on the 20th Nov. following.