Prior to joining the Life-saving service Napier was Chicago`s harbormaster, and ship's captain. While in Chicago, in 1854, Napier led the rescue of the crew of a wrecked schooner, and was awarded an inscribed gold watch. In one heroic rescue, on his crew's third transit to a stricken schooner, Napier was thrown overboard and seriously injured his leg. He was nevertheless able to lead his crew to rescue the last two stricken seamen.