[2] When his father was appointed Surgeon-General to the North American station in 1779, the 10-year-old Charles went with him aboard HMS Europe, which arrived in New York City on 25 August.

He spent a short period aboard HMS Renown, which was dismasted in a gale while escorting a convoy to Quebec, before returning to Loyalist where he was promoted to Able Seaman and then Midshipman.

[2][3] In October 1789, he joined Rear Admiral Peyton aboard his flagship HMS Leander and began a spell of service in the Mediterranean that lasted two and a half years.

[4] When war broke out, Bullen returned to HMS Culloden, which was still under the command of Thomas Rich and sailed for the West Indies where they took part in the unsuccessful invasion of Martinique.

[5] At the beginning of 1797, Bullen was appointed first lieutenant to HMS Monmouth and it was here he first met his new commanding officer, William Carnegie, 7th Earl of Northesk and the two became fast friends.

During the Nore mutiny when rebellion broke out on the Monmouth, Bullen drew a line across the deck and threatened to shoot dead the first man to cross it.

[5] His prompt action probably saved his life and the lives of his fellow officers, including the Earl of Northesk, who was later chosen to take the rebels demands to the government.

As the Monmouth was bearing down on the Dutch fleet, Captain Walker spoke to the crew, "My lads, you see your enemy; I'll lay you close aboard and give you an opportunity of washing the stain off your characters in the blood of your foes.

[6][8][10] In June 1801, Bullen was despatched in the sloop HMS Wasp to Sierra Leone, where a powerful allegiance of native tribal leaders were threatening British trade interests.

[11] The previous captain, Jahleel Brenton was injured when a block fell on his head, and Bullen, who was conveniently close by in Weymouth, commanded the vessel between 8 May and 3 June in 1803.

[13][14] Britannia fell in 5th behind HMS Victory and, with no particular role allocated, attacked three ships, including the Bucentaure and the 130-gun Santissima Trinidad, before turning to pursue the enemy's flying van.

[11][13] Bullen brought three ships back to England and received prize money in excess of £3000, along with the usual awards from the Lloyd's Patriotic Fund of the gold medal and sword given to Trafalgar captains.

[13] Bullen was appointed to 38 gun frigate, HMS Volontaire on 7 September 1807 and spent the next three years helping to maintain the blockade of Toulon and in operations along the French and Spanish coasts including the conveyance of the Duc D'Orleans and his brother the Comte de Beaujolais to Malta.

[13] When Spain declared war on France in May 1808, Bullen was ordered to undertake an overland expedition from Fez to Tangiers to purchase arms for the Spanish rebels.

[18] Bullen continued to support the Spanish in operations along the Catalan coast, destroying the shore batteries at Palamos and St Phillion in April that year.

[20] Bullen did not go to sea again until 10 November 1814 when he was appointed to HMS Akbar as flag captain to Admiral Thomas Byam Martin, helping to supervise the partition of naval supplies at Antwerp.