His godfather was Captain George Brydges Rodney, later to win fame during the American War of Independence, rising to the rank of admiral.

By 1756 he had risen to midshipman and was serving aboard the 90-gun HMS Ramillies, then flying the flag of Admiral Sir John Byng.

Bligh saw action at Byng's unsuccessful attempt to relieve Minorca, after which he was commissioned a lieutenant on 30 September 1757 aboard the 24-gun HMS Nightingale.

[6] He was present during the events around the Glorious First of June as part of the attached squadron under George Montagu, but did not actively participate in the engagement.

While the two warships were returning they were spotted by a French squadron under Joseph-Marie Nielly, consisting of five 74 gun ships of the line, three large frigates and a brig.

[7] He was then appointed as second-in-command to Sir Henry Harvey, then commander in the Windward Islands, with Bligh flying his flag aboard the 74-gun HMS Brunswick.

[5] Bligh however incurred the wrath of Parker when, following a major mutiny, he granted pardons to two members of the crew[9] of HMS Hermione and recommended mercy for a third.

[5] In late 1803 Bligh was made Commander-in-Chief at Leith, and on the Coast of Scotland, serving under Lord Keith, before being promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Blue on 23 April 1804.