He is chiefly remembered for his failure to force the Turkish defenses in the Dardanelles during the First World War, which led to the launch of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign.

[1] He was promoted to captain in December 1899,[2] and in May 1901 was commissioned in command of HMS Immortalité, seagoing tender to the Wildfire, flagship at Sheerness.

[1] Following the Ottoman Empire's entry into the war on the side of the Central Powers in November 1914, Carden was asked by the British Admiralty to develop a strategy to force open the Dardanelles (Canakkale Bogazi) in January of the following year.

Carden's plan called for the systematic destruction of Turkish fortifications along the Dardanelles while advancing slowly up the strait, in addition to extensive minesweeping operations.

[1] Initially commander-in-chief of British naval forces during the Dardanelles campaign, Carden was successful in early offensives against Turkish defences from 19 February until early March, when he was relieved of command owing to his failing health and strain of anxiety which proved too much for him causing a nervous breakdown[7][8] and was replaced by Admiral John de Robeck.