Francis Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Baron Ducie

Who was Francis Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Baron Ducie?

Francis Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Baron Ducie was a British politician and naval officer.

He served in the Royal Navy, being commissioned lieutenant with a date of seniority of 12 April 1762. By the outbreak of the American War of Independence he had been promoted Captain and was stationed in the West Indies in command of HMS Monarch. He commanded Monarch during the Battle of the Chesapeake in September 1781 and remained with her throughout 1782 and saw action during the Capture of Sint Eustatius, the Battle of Saint Kitts, the Battle of the Saintes and, the Battle of the Mona Passage.

From 1784 to 1785, Reynolds-Moreton served as Member of Parliament for Liverpool before inheriting his title from his brother Thomas.

Ducie Island, in the Pacific Ocean, was named after him by Captain Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora, who had served under Ducie during his time in command of HMS Augusta.