Francis Hixson (8 January 1833 – 2 March 1909)[1] worked as a Royal Navy officer in colonial New South Wales and the Pacific.

[2] Hixson was a native of Dorsetshire, England, and, entering the Royal Navy, arrived at Sydney on HMS Havannah in 1848.

When the Havannah was paid off, in 1852, he was appointed to the Herald, and when that vessel left Australian waters, in 1861, he was employed as chief assistant, to Commander Sidney in the survey of the coasts of New South Wales.

[2] In January 1863 he left the navy, having reached the rank of "master", and was appointed superintendent of pilots, lighthouses, and harbours in New South Wales.

He was appointed President of the Marine Board of that colony in April 1872, and was Captain commanding the Naval Forces.