A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Johnson, George Child
JOHNSON. (Lieut., 1809. f-p., 15; h-p., 34.)
George Child Johnson entered the Navy, 28 June, 1798, as L.M., on board the Northumberland 74, Capt. Geo. Martin, under whom he witnessed the capture, 18 Feb. 1800, of the French 74-gun ship Le Généreux, served at the blockade and surrender of Malta, and attended the expedition of 1801 to Egypt. Between Sept. in the latter year and April, 1805, we find him officiating, still in the Mediterranean, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate of the Aginoourt 64, Capts. Geo. Fred. Ryves and Thos. Briggs; and afterwards joining the Mediator 44, Capt. John Searle, Dolphin and Northumberland, flag-ships in the West Indies of Sir Alex. Cochrane, Seine frigate, Capt. David Atkins, and Aetna bomb, Capt. Wm. Godfrey. While in the latter vessel, in which (after having officiated in her for 18 months as Sub and Acting Lieutenant) he was confirmed in his present rank 31 Jan. 1809, Mr. Johnson served under Lord Gambier at the bombardment of Copenhagen, and the destruction of the shipping in Basque Roads. He left the Aetna in June, 1809, and during the rest of the war was successively employed on the Mediterranean and Home stations in the Ajax 74, Capt. Robt. Waller Otway, Raven sloop, Capt. Geo. Gustavus Lennock, Bristol armée en flûte, Capt. Wm. Kent, Echo sloop, Capt. Thos. Percival, Christian VII. 80, Capt. Henry Lidgbird Ball, Salvador del Mundo flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Wm. Domett, and Niobe armée en flûte, Capt. Henry Colins Deacon. He has since been on half-pay.