Born the son of Captain Robert Harland, Harland joined the Royal Navy in 1729 when he was appointed a Volunteer-per-order on HMS "Falkland". He was present as a lieutenant on HMS "Princessa" at the Battle of Toulon on 11 February 1744. He was given command of the fireship HMS "Scipio" in 1745 and, with promotion to post captain on 19 March 1746, he took command of HMS" Tilbury" and took part in Second Battle of Cape Finisterre on 14 October 1747. He was then appointed to HMS "Nottingham" later that year and the following year had a major role in the capture of the French 74 gun "Magnanime" on 31 January 1748. He commanded HMS "Monarch" from 1748 and HMS "Essex" from 1755 before transferring to HMS "Conqueror" in 1758. In 1759 he transferred to HMS "Princess Louisa" and took part in the Battle of Lagos on 18 August 1759.