 King was placed on board ship at fourteen thanks to the influence of his father and made Post Captain 
just six years later, an achievement made possible by his father's rank of admiral.Normally an officer would be waiting double or triple that time before gaining such a prestigious rank.Nonetheless, King was no incompetent, and proved his worth as captain of HMS "Sirius", capturing four enemy privateers whilst in command, as well as sitting on the navy board which condemned Richard Parker to death for his part in the Nore mutiny in 1797.