 Born into a seafaring family in 1763, Morris joined the navy in 1775 and served aboard several ships, including HMS "Prince of Wales" in numerous actions off the United States seaboard and in the West Indies.In 1776 his father, Captain James Morris RN, was killed whilst attacking Fort Moultrie off Sullivan's Island near Charleston, South Carolina, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, but Morris was not present being stationed off the Leeward Islands.In 1779 he fought at the battle of St. Lucia and at the battle of Grenada, making lieutenant the following year as a reward for his good service.