Francis Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Baron Ducie (28 March 1739 – 20 August 1808)[1] was a Royal Navy officer, politician and peer who sat in the British House of Commons representing the constituency of Lancaster from 1784 to 1785.

During the battle, he was commander of a British squadron onboard HMS Augusta in an attempt to clear the way along the Delaware River to Philadelphia.

Firstly in 1774 to Mary Purvis of Shepton Mallet, by whom he had two sons: his heir Thomas, and Augustus John, who became a Lieutenant colonel in the 1st Foot Guards.

Serving in the Seven Years' War Reynolds took command of HMS Weazel; Provost Marshal of Barbadoes, 16 March 1761 – 1808; Post Captain, 12 April 1762; M.P., Lancaster, 1784–1785.

At the end of that month she sailed for Plymouth, and was assigned to duty off the coast of France and later in a voyage to Africa prior to being paid off at Chatham in February 1763.

[5] Reynolds was the commander aboard HMS Augusta, a ship of the line bearing 64 guns, which was part of the advance British fleet[a] in the effort to reach Philadelphia during the American Revolutionary War.

Richard Howe seemed to accept this explanation as very likely when he wrote in his diary that "by some Accident, no other way connected with the circumstances of the action but as it was probably caused by the Wads from her guns, the ship took fire abaft".

[12][20] American historian James Fennimore Cooper, in his History of the Navy of the United States, maintains that Augusta had her stores of supplies lightened before embarking on her mission and that the fire originated in some pressed hay which had been packed into the hull to render the vessel more resistant to shot.

[18] At his court-martial a month later, on 26 November, presided over by Captain George Ourry aboard HMS Somerset off Billingsport, Captain Reynolds testified that "I thought it my duty to comply with Admiral Richard Howe's instructions in giving every Assistance to the Hessians: I immediately hoisted the Topsails and sent an Officer to each of the other ships acquainting the Captains that my intention was to go as near the upper Cheveaux de frize as possible, in order to draw the fire of the Galleys from the Hessians, and I desired they would do the same, which they complied with…" Reynolds was acquitted of all charges attributable to the loss of Augusta.

[12] Reynolds' next command was over HMS Jupiter, bearing 50 guns, to which he was appointed in July 1778, shortly after her keel laying and completion.

On 20 October, cruising off Cape Finisterre, sailing with the frigate HMS Medea, commanded by Captain James Montagu, Reynolds took to chase after the French Triton, a ship of the line bearing 64 guns, commanded by the Comte de Ligondés, initially thinking that she was an East Indiaman before ascertaining her real identity.

Within thirty minutes the Medea, engaging the Triton on her lee quarter while the Jupiter attacked from her windward side, was forced out of the action.

[5][9] On 20 September 1780, Reynolds assumed command of HMS Monarch, a ship of the line bearing 74 guns and sailed with Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood's reinforcements headed for the West Indies in late October.

[25][26] On 1 April 1779, Reynolds departed Portsmouth with Jupiter and within a few hours came upon and assisted the British sloop HMS Delight, bearing 14 guns, commanded by Admiral John Leigh Douglas, while he was in the process of capturing the French privateer Jean Bart.

Reynolds took custody of the prize and carried her into Plymouth so that the sloop could proceed on her Admiralty orders, and he then left the Devonshire port on 4 April to sail in the Bay of Biscay and observe the activities of the French fleet.