He was born in Pembrokeshire in humble circumstances, and went to sea at an early age.

According to one account, he served in Hawke's ship, but, wherever his training was received, it had made him a first-rate seaman.

In 1747, he entered the Company's marine service, being then about twenty-six years of age.
In 1751, he sailed from England in command of the _Guardian_ sloop, one of the two men-of-war built by the Directors for the protection of Bombay trade.

His services against the coast pirates, during the next two years, procured his advancement to the post of Commodore at Bombay, and it was soon remarked that the sailing of the _Protector_, on which his flag was now hoisted, had greatly improved by the changes he had made.

By his capture of Severndroog, now to be related, he became famous.