A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Menzies, Duncan
MENZIES. (Retired Commander, 1816.)
Duncan Menzies was born in March, 1759, and died, 20 Dec. 1846, at 4, Park-place, George-square, Edinburgh. He was uncle by marriage of Capt. Nicholas Lockyer, R.N., C.B.
This officer entered the Navy in 1770, as Midshipman, on board the Hazard sloop, Capt. Ford; and was afterwards, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 1 April, 1781, employed in the Emerald 32, Capt. Moutray, Culloden and Resolution 74’s, Capts. Dundas and Ogle, Culloden again, Capt. Balfour, Sandwich 90, Capt. Young, and Formidable of similar force, flag-ship of Sir Geo. Rodney; assisting during that period at the capture of Ste. Lucie in 1778, in the action off Cape St. Vincent 16 Jan. 1780, and as Aide-de-Camp to the last-mentioned officer at the reduction of St. Eustatius in Feb. 1781. On the occasion of his promotion, as above, Mr. Menzies joined the Alfred 74, Capt. Bayne, in which ship it was his fortune to be present in the memorable action of 12 April, 1782. On that occasion he was one of the officers sent on board the Ville de Paris to receive the sword of the Comte de Grasse. In the course of the same year we find him present at the relief of Gibraltar. He subsequently, during the French revolutionary war, served on board the Belligerent and Inflexible 64’s, Capts. Brine and Jervis, on the West India station; also in the Caton 64; and in command of the Piercer gun-brig. In the latter vessel he accompanied the expedition to Holland in 1799, and assisted at the debarkation of the troops under Sir Ralph Abercromby. During the late war Lieut. Menzies was employed in the Impress service at Falmouth, and in command of the Firm prison-ship at Plymouth. He retired with the rank of Commander 1 Jan. 1816.
Commander Menzies married, in Jan. 1808, Miss Elizabeth Grove, of Falmouth, and by that lady has left issue a son and two daughters.