Hawke first entered the navy as a volunteer, being then the ward of his uncle Martin Bladen, whose protection was useful to him in his career. He served successively under Hosier, Sir Charles Wager, Thomas Mathews and Peter Warren. His first great naval success was in October 1747, when he attacked a French convoy off Belle Isle, capturing seven out of nine ships, for which he was created K.B. a month later. On 18 Dec. of that year, the Duke of Bedford wrote to him:
I have this day wrote to Mr. Mayor of Portsmouth, recommending you to the gentlemen of the corporation to be their representative in Parliament. I most heartily wish you good success.1Burrows, Life of Sir Edw. Hawke, 122, 129, 199.
He was returned unopposed. From 1748 he was serving as commander-in-chief, mainly at Portsmouth, until November 1752 when he struck his flag.
He died 17 Oct. 1781.