In 1746 he became post-captain, and commanded the "Triton" (24) in the West Indies.
In 1856 he commissioned the "Acorn" brig for the China station, and arrived in time to take part in the destruction of the junks in Fatshan creek on the 1st of June 1857, and in the capture of Canton in the following December, for which, in February 1858, he received a post-captain's commission.
He became post-captain in 1862 and rear-admiral in 1863.
He entered the navy in 1767 as a midshipman on board the "Yarmouth," under the command of his uncle; and, his family interest obtaining for him rapid promotion, he was raised in 1778 to the rank of post-captain, and appointed to the "Raleigh," a fine 32-gun frigate.
In July 1779 he became commander, and was appointed to the "Rover" sloop; in June of the following year he attained the rank of post-captain.
