He first worked on a railway magazine, and he became secretary of the Society of Arts, a post which led to major involvement in planning the Great Exhibition of 1851. Thereafter, he became increasingly involved in the design of yachts, boats, barges and ships, and he became a director of a ship-building company.
Siya unang nagtrabaho sa isang magasin ng tren, at siya ay naging kalihim ng Samahan ng Sining, isang post na humantong sa malaking paglahok sa pagpaplano ng Great Exhibition ng 1851. Pagkatapos noon, siya ay naging Mas madalas na kasangkot sa disenyo ng yate, bangka, barges at ships, at siya ay naging isang direktor ng isang barko-gusali ng kumpanya.