 The date he joined the navy is not known and neither is the ship he joined, but it is likely that he was at sea before the end of the American War of Independence and may have seen action there, although this can not be proven.He was promoted to lieutenant on 29 April 1797 when he was 32, a full fourteen years after the normal age for this promotion.This was likely the result of a failure to gain interest or sponsorship from an admiral, politician or other person of influence.