[8] While serving on HMS Erne that wrecked in 1819 on the Isle of Sal, Cape Verde,[9] he sustained injuries.

He served on other ships, usually as a surveyor, including the trigonometrical survey in Orkney, Shetland, the coast of Ireland, and in the North Sea.

[8] In 1824, he volunteered his services for William Edward Parry's third expedition to find the Northwest Passage, serving as assistant surveyor under George Francis Lyon aboard HMS Griper.

During this expedition, he became the first known European to sight Wollaston Land (actually a peninsula),[3] and travelled from Fort Franklin to York Factory.

[2] The following year, at the recommendation of the Royal Geographical Society, Kendall travelled aboard HMS Chanticleer during its scientific voyage, assisting in pendulum experiments,[8] and other research including the South Shetland Islands region of the Antarctic where again he conducted surveys.

In 1830, he transferred to HMS Hecla to survey the West Africa coast, returning to England later that year.

[2] Approximately two years later, Kendall became involved in the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Land Company, becoming its commissioner at Fredericton.