Was a midshipman of the Queen 98, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral (afterwards Lord) Gardner, at the great battle of June 1st, 1794; on which occasion that ship sustained a loss of 36 officers and men slain, and 67> including her captain (John Hutt) mortally wounded.

In Dec. 1795, Mr. Keenan was promoted to the rank of lieutenant; – in 1801 , he commanded the Sheerness tender; – in 1807, we find him serving as first of the Hibernia 110, bearing the flag of Lord Gardner; – in 1811, he obtained the command of the Resolute gun-brig; – and on the 29th of April, 1812, he displayed great bravery in a desperate attack made by Captain (now Sir Thomas) Ussher on several French privateers lying under the batteries of Malaga^[1]. For his good conduct on this occasion he was made a commander, June 1st following.