 Cumming was posted to the brig HMS Espiegle on 2 October 1844 , serving under Captain Thomas Pickering Thompson in the East Indies until 27 March 1845 . The next day he was appointed to HMS Caledonia , a first @-@ rate commanded by Alexander Milne that served as the flagship of his father Admiral Sir David Milne who was the Commander @-@ in @-@ Chief , Plymouth . On 29 April Cumming transferred to the first @-@ rate HMS Queen , under the command of Baldwin Wake Walker and the flagship of John West in Devonport . Cumming was transferred again on 13 July 1845 to the second @-@ rate HMS Albion , captained by Nicholas Lockyer and remained aboard until 30 November 1846 . 
