A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Johnson, William
JOHNSON. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 11; h-p., 35.)
William Johnson entered the Navy, in Jan. 1801, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Achille 74, Capts. Geo. Murray and Edw. Buller, stationed in the Channel, where he served as Midshipman until April, 1802. Re-embarking, in July, 1803, on board the Cerebus 32, Capt. Wm. Selby, he served in that frigate at the ensuing bombardment of Granville, and was present in her as Master’s Mate at the reduction of the islands of Marie-galante and Désirade, in March, 1808. In the course of the latter year he successively joined the Cherokee 10, Capt. Rich. Arthur, and Venerable 74, flagship of Sir Rich. John Strachan, both on the Home station; and on 10 May, 1809, he became Acting-Lieutenant of the Blake 74, Capt. Edw. Codrington. While in that ship, to which he was confirmed by commission dated 4 May, 1810, he accompanied the expedition to Flushing, assisted at the defence of Cadiz, and was much employed in co-operation with the patriots on the coast of Spain, particularly at Tarragona. He has been on half-pay since April, 1813.