A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Erskine, John Elphinstone
ERSKINE. (Captain, 1838. f-p., 17; h-p., 11.)
John Elphinstone Erskine is son, we believe, of David Erskine, Esq., of Cardross, by Keith, youngest daughter of John 11th Baron Elphinstone; nephew of Hon. Chas. Elphinstone Fleeming, Admiral of the Blue, and M.P. for Stirling, who died Governor of Greenwich Hospital, 30 Oct. 1840; grand-nephew of Admiral Lord Keith, G.C.B., who reduced the Cape of Good Hope in 1795, expelled the French from Egypt in 1801, and died in April, 1823; and cousin of Vice-Admiral Sir Chas. Adam, K.C.B.
This officer entered the Navy 6 May, 1819; passed his examination in 1825; and obtained his first commission 2 Jan. 1826. His succeeding appointments were – 25 Nov. 1826, 20 July, 1827, and 20 May, 1828, to the Barham 50 (as Flag-Lieutenant to his relative, Sir C. E. Fleeming), Druid 46, Capt. Sam. Chambers, and Barham again, all on the Jamaica station; where he assumed command, 24 Dec. 1829, of the Arachne 18, and where he was next appointed, 3 May, 1830, to the Grasshopper 18. Quitting the latter vessel in 1831, he joined, 16 Aug. 1836, the Harlequin 16; from which vessel, then in the Mediterranean, he was advanced to Post-rank 28 June, 1838. On 6 Aug. 1841 Capt. Erskine became Flag-Captain, in the Illustrious 72, to his cousin. Sir Chas. Adam, Commander-in-Chief on the North America and West India station. He returned to England in 1845; and has not since been employed. Agent – John P. Muspratt.