Samuel Warren was born in Sandwich, Kent, on 9 January 1769. He entered the navy in January 1782, serving as a midshipman aboard the 64-gun under the command of Captain John Harvey, who was a relation of Warren's. Warren went out in "Sampson" with the fleet sent to relieve Gibraltar under Lord Howe, and later saw action at the Battle of Cape Spartel on 20 October 1782. Warren later served aboard the 10-gun cutter , the 32-gun , the 74-gun , the 98-gun , and the 100-gun .