[1][2][3] He became mate in 1839, and was on board HMS Dido which took part in operations on the Yangtze River in 1842 during the First Opium War.

Rice had charge of the seamen and naval guns on shore at the capture of Prome, for which he received the official thanks of the Governor-General in Council.

In 1854, when commander of HMS Prometheus, he attacked the Riff pirates on shore near Cape Tres Forcas, and recaptured an English brig.

[1][4] Promoted to captain in 1855, he commanded HMS Leander at Sevastopol during the closing stages of the Crimean War.

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1881, and promoted to Knight Commander (KCB) in the 1887 Golden Jubilee Honours list.