Initially commander-in-chief of British naval forces during the Dardanelles campaign, Carden was successful in early offensives against Turkish defences from 19 February until early March, when he was relieved of command due his failing health, and was replaced by Admiral John de Robeck.
Som øverstkommanderende for de britiske flådestyrker i begyndelsen af Slaget ved Gallipoli havde Carden held med de tidlige offensive operationer mod tyrkiske stillinger fra 19. februar til begyndelsen af marts, hvor han fik frataget kommandoen på grund af svigtende helbred og blev erstattet af admiral John de Robeck.