Phillip served as a captain in the Portuguese Navy during its war with Spain and commanded a 26-gun frigate. One voyage carried troops and convicts from Rio de Janeiro to Colonia del Sacramento. When a storm threatened the ship, the convicts helped work her, and Phillip recommended remission of their sentences as a reward for helping save the vessel. A version of the episode appeared in the English press when he was selected for the New South Wales expedition, supporting his reputation as an officer suited to command transported prisoners. His Portuguese service also included the capture of a Spanish ship that was commissioned into the Portuguese Navy under his command.
Notable Point · 2:25:15-2:26:45
Portuguese service gives Phillip an earlier convict command
Years before the First Fleet, Phillip had already commanded transported convicts and rewarded their service during an emergency.