 He was a Signal Midshipman on board the steam sloop "Tenasserin" during the Second Anglo-Burmese War 1852, and took part in the action and capture of the city of Bassein (mentioned in Despatches 20 May 1852).As a Mate, he served in the Crimean War (1853-1856), for which he received the Crimea Medal (two clasps) and in April 1858 the Imperial Order of Medjidie, 5th Class, from the Sultan of Turkey

He was promoted Commander in February 1866, Captain in February 1873, Rear-Admiral before 1895, and Vice-Admiral in June 1895.He served as Inspector of Irish Lights 1875–78, appointed Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong February 1884 to February 1887.