COMMANDER // 1778–1844
Francis William Fane
Lifespan
1778 – 1844
Active service 1810 — 1 battle across 1 war; first command at age 32.
Profile
Rear-Admiral Francis William Fane son of John Fane (1751–1824) was a British Royal Navy officer of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars who served in several engagements while commissioned on the frigate HMS Terpsichore, including the blockade of Alexandria. There he was commended for rescuing five French soldiers from a group of Bedouin partisans, despite coming under fire from the people he was trying to rescue. He advanced rapidly through the ranks, and by 1810 was in command of his own frigate, participating in the Peninsular War. It was during this campaign that he was captured during an operation at Palamós, remaining a prisoner for the remainder of the war. After the peace of 1815, Fane did not continue in active service, and although he was promoted to admiral in 1837 he did not serve again at sea.
Battles (1)
1810