A half-length portrait to the right, showing Clements in his captain's full dress uniform of the 1774-87 pattern.
In 1748–49, Michael Clements served in the ‘Syren’, stationed in the East Indies. He became a lieutenant in December 1755 and served in the frigate ‘Unicorn’, capturing prizes off the Irish coast. His success earned him the command of the buss ‘London’ and in September 1757 he achieved post rank and command of the frigate ‘Actaeon’, being attached to the Channel Fleet. Clements was then appointed to the ‘Pallas’ in June 1759, serving in her until 1763. He took command of the 70-gun ‘Dorsetshire’ in 1769. He saw action in ‘Vengeance’ (74 guns) off Ushant in July 1778. He spoke strongly in favour of Keppel at the admiral’s trial. He resigned his command because of ill health; he achieved the rank of rear-admiral on the superannuated list. Clements was one of the eight officers who founded the naval club of 1765, the progenitor of the Royal Navy Club.