Charles Henry Lane was born at Hereford about the year 17J4 and at the age of 17 joined the Buckingham, 70 guns, Captain John Symons. In this ship he went to India, spending about four years in her, the first two as able seaman and the second two as midshipman. Returning home he joined the Enterprize, 28, Captain Sir Thomas Rich, spending about two years in her in the Mediterranean. Of these the first three months were as able seaman and the rest as midshipman.

In July 1777 he successfully passed his examination for lieutenant and in September received his commission to the Royal Oak, 74, initially as 5th lieutenant but rising to 3rd before, in April 1778, he was appointed 1st lieutenant of the Surprize, 28, Captains Robert Linzee and later Samuel Reeve. In that ship he served just over three years, each year making a voyage to Newfoundland and back from about June to November. While in those waters on the third voyage he was transferred to the Portland, 50, Captain James Luttrell. Then in September 1782 Vice-Admiral John Campbell promoted him to Commander and placed him in command of the sloop St Johns, which had been purchased locally. Exactly a year later the St Johns was paid off and Commander Lane returned home and was placed on half-pay.