He joined the navy at 18, qualified as surgeon's second mate in February 1778 and naval surgeon in March 1780. He served for two years in the Pilote before joining the Sirius in November 1786.
At 18, he embarked on a naval career that would take him through various roles, including becoming a surgeon's second mate in February 1778 and then a full-fledged naval surgeon in March 1780. His early years were spent on the Pilote before he joined the Sirius in November 1786.