service in the summer of 1783, as a Midshipman on board the Hermione frigate, commanded by Captain John Stone, a friend of his uncle, John Carter, Esq., one of the senior Magistrates of Kent; with whom he continued on the West India and Halifax stations till the latter end of 1785. He subsequently served under Sir Charles M. Pole,, in the Crown of 64 guns; from which ship he removed, at the commencement of 1787, into the Scorpion sloop of war, at that time employed on Channel service, but afterwards sent to the coast of Guinea and the Leeward Islands, from whence she returned under the command of Sir Charles Hamilton, after an absence of nearly three years.
The Scorpion being paid off at the commencement of the Spanish armament, Mr. Carter was turned over with her other petty officers and crew to the Leopard of 50 guns; but as that ship was destined for foreign service, and he had nearly served a sufficient time to qualify him for a commission, his uncle’s intimate friend, the late Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, kindly consented to receive him on board the Bellerophon 74; and when he had passed his examination recommended him to the patronage of Earl Howe, from whose flag-ship he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, November 22, 1790.
During the Russian armament, in 1791, he served on board the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Faulknor; and we subsequently find him crossing the Channel for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the French language, fencing, &c., in which manner he employed his time until the beginning of 1793, when he returned home in consequence of the approaching war between Great Britain and France.
On his arrival in England, Lieutenant Carter reported himself to the Admiralty, and was immediately appointed to the Trimmer sloop of war, on the Jersey station, where he assisted at the capture of one of the first armed vessels taken under the tricoloured flag.
The Trimmer being paid off, on account of her defective state, shortly after Mr. Carter had returned from conducting the above prize into Falmouth, be was then appointed third
