Bligh was born into a naval family, probably in 1737, since he was baptised on 8 November 1737 at Holy Trinity Church, Gosport. His godfather was Captain George Brydges Rodney, later to win fame during the American War of Independence, rising to the rank of admiral. Bligh's father was Richard Bligh, a lieutenant in the navy, while William Bligh was a third cousin. The younger Richard also embarked on a naval career, joining in 1750 aboard Rodney's ship, the 44-gun . By 1756 he had risen to midshipman and was serving aboard the 90-gun HMS "Ramillies", then flying the flag of Admiral Sir John Byng. Bligh saw action at Byng's unsuccessful attempt to relieve Minorca, after which he was commissioned a lieutenant on 30 September 1757 aboard the 24-gun . He remained with the fleet of his patron Rodney, whom he accompanied to the West Indies. Rodney duly appointed him Master and Commander of the sloop on 22 October 1762. He carried out various cruises aboard her against enemy privateers. He followed this by being made post-captain aboard on 6 December 1777. In January 1780 he commissioned the newly built . By 1782 he was in command of the 64-gun during the Relief of Gibraltar by Admiral Richard Howe.