In 1794 aged 13 he was employed by the navy as a loblolly boy, meaning personal servant, to Bass who was the surgeon on board HMS Reliance for her voyage to Australia. Martin was still with Bass in 1799 at age 18 when Bass left the navy, but at that point record of him ends.
In 1794 at age thirteen, he was assigned as a loblolly boy—personal servant—to Bass on HMS Reliance for their voyage to Australia. Martin remained with Bass until 18 when he left the navy in 1799, but there is no further record of his activities.