He went into service in 1690, somewhat late by the standards of the day. This was as a First Lieutenant on HMS York. On this very large ship he served under three captains: Robert Deane, George Mees and James Killigrew, the latter being killed in his role. On HMS York he saw quite a bit of action: the Battle of Beachy Head (1690); Battle of Barfleur (1692); capture of the French ship "La Marianne" (1693); capture of the privateer "Le Saint Antoine" (1693); capture of the Jacobite privateer "Prince of Wales" (1693).