Captain George Haye was born at Callington, Cornwall in April 1788 and entered the Royal Navy as a First Class Volunteer aboard H.M.S. Hercule in August 1801. From May 1802 until April 1807 he was employed as Midshipman and Master's Mate, chiefly in the East India Station aboard the St. Fiorenzo, and after advancement to Lieutenant in August 1808, he joined the Frigate Active. Whilst serving with that ship in the Adriatic on 3.2.1811, he commanded the ship's boats of both his own Frigate, and those of the Cerebus, in the capture of four Venician trabaccolos under heavy musketry fire from a body of troops quartered at Pestichi. Nine days later he conspicuously assisted boats from the same ships, whilst under heavy fire, near the town of Ortano. On 13.3.1811 he was present at the Battle of Lissa when a Franco-Venetian Squadron was defeated. At the close of the action he was placed in charge of one of the prizes, the Corona and received the thanks of the Senior Officer of the Squadron for his exertions in extinguishing a fire that had threatened his prize ship - a fire that had left him severely burnt. Despite his injuries, on 27.7.1811 he volunteered to assist in the capture of a convoy of 28 Merchantmen defended in a creek of the Island of Ragosniza by 300 troops and three Gun-Vessels. On 29.11.1811 he succeeded to the command of the Active and was himself slightly wounded in the action with three French Frigates which resulted in the capture of the Pomone and Persanne. For his gallantry on that occasion he was promoted to the rank of Commander, further advancement to Captain taking place in 1834.