A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Luce, William
LUCE. (Lieut., 1814. f-p., 20; h-p., 20.)
William Luce entered the Navy, in Aug. 1807, as A.B., on board the Pluto sloop, Capt. Rich. Gaire Janvrin, stationed in the Channel; and in Aug. 1808 joined the Christian VII. 80, Capt. Joseph Sydney Yorke. In that ship, which shortly afterwards hoisted the flag of Sir Edw. Pellew, and (with the same Admiral) in the Caledonia 120, he continued to serve as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, on the North Sea and Mediterranean stations, until nominated, after having shared in a skirmish with the French Toulon fleet, Acting-Lieutenant, in Jan. 1814, of the Prince of Wales 98, Capt. John Erskine Douglas, part of the force employed in a second encounter with the enemy. He was confirmed a Lieutenant 16 March, 1814, and was subsequently appointed – 16 Dec. 1814, to the Bonne Citoyenne 20, Capt. Augustus Wm. Jas. Clifford, on the Irish station – for a few months in 1815 to the Favorite 20 and Curaçoa 36, Capts. Hon. Jas. Ashley Maude and John Tower, both employed on Home service – 25 June, 1828, and 19 Feb. 1830, as a Supernumerary, to the Ramillies and Talavera Coast Blockade ships, Capt. Hugh Pigot – 11 July, 1832 (after 15 months of half-pay), as sole Lieutenant, to the Astraea 6, Capts. Wm. and Andrew King, on the Falmouth station – and 11 Sept. 1835, 22 Dec. 1836, and 24 July, 1838, to the successive command of the Plover, Pigeon, and Penguin, all Falmouth packets. He has been on half-pay since Nov. 1841.
He married, 1 June, 1840, the widow of Lieut. John Downey, R.N., formerly Commander of H.M. packet Briseis. Agents – Messrs. Chard.