Pigot entered the Navy on 1 May 1788, first serving aboard the 50-gun fourth-rate ship Salisbury, under the command of Captain Erasmus Gower, and the flagship of Rear-Admiral John Elliot, Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland.
He then served for three years in home waters under Captain Andrew Snape Douglas, as a midshipman in the frigate Southampton, and in the guard ships Goliath and Alcide.
[2] Following the evacuation of Toulon in December 1793, he was appointed acting-lieutenant of the 74-gun Berwick, Captain Andrew Sutherland (mariner), then served for a short period as midshipman in the Princess Royal, and in the 100-gun Britannia, flagship of Admiral William Hotham.
He was officially promoted to lieutenant on 12 November 1794 to serve aboard the sloop Fleche, under the Captains the Honourable Henry Hotham, Shuldham Peard, and Edwards.
The exertions and activity Pigot displayed in erecting jury-masts, and putting the prize into a seaworthy state, gained him the warm official thanks of the senior officer present, Captain George Scott, of the Horatio.
On 17 April 1809 Pigot witnessed (and was much praised for his spirited exertions during the chase which preceded) the surrender of the French 74-gun ship D'Hautpoul; and on 18 June in the same year took part in the capture of the Félicité, pierced for 42 guns, but having only 14 of her main-deck armament mounted, with a complement of 174 men, and a cargo of sugar, coffee, etc.