[2] He was promoted to lieutenant in 1900, and was posted temporary in July 1902 to HMS St George, serving in the Channel Squadron.
[2] In 1917 Steel was transferred from fleet duties to the Royal Naval Air Service and was appointed Officer Commanding RNAS Eastchurch.
58 Wing which was based at Eastchurch[2] and in March, at the age of 40, Steel learned to fly.
[2] Steel, like other RNAS personnel transferred to the RAF and was promoted to the temporary rank of brigadier general.
[2] The following year in April once again returned to active service, this time as the Controller-General of Economy at the Air Ministry.