A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Johnson, William Ward Percival
JOHNSON. (Captain, 1841. f-p., 25; h-p., 19.)
William Ward Percival Johnson entered the Navy, 2 July, 1803, as a Supernumerary, on board the Prévoyant store-ship, Master-Commander Brown, in which he took a passage to the Mediterranean, for the purpose of joining the Victory 100, Capt. Sam. Sutton, bearing the flag of Lord Nelson, with whom he served until transferred as Midshipman, in Aug. 1804, to the Childers sloop, Capt. Sir Wm. Bolton. With the latter officer he continued employed off Gibraltar, and on the Channel and Cork stations, in the Guerrier, Eurydice, and Druid frigates, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 18 Oct. 1809. Joining, soon afterwards, the Curaçoa 36, Capt. John Tower, he proceeded in that frigate to the Cape of Good Hope, and then again to the Mediterranean, where he co-operated with the patriots on the coast of Catalonia, and assisted at the capture of the Marsouin and Venus Privateers, each mounting 14 guns, and carrying in the whole 127 men. In Aug. 1812, being at the time in charge of a prize, he had the misfortune to be made prisoner by the French, who detained him in captivity until the peace. His succeeding appointments were – 16 Aug. 1814, to the Pompée 74, Capt. Sir Jas. Athol Wood, fitting for the Mediterranean, whence he returned in Nov. 1815 – 25 June, 1828, to the Coast Blockade, as Supernumerary-Lieutenant of the Ramillies 74, Capt. Hugh Pigot – 28 July, 1830, as First, to the Talavera 74, Capts. David Colby and Thos. Brown, employed on particular service – and 26 Dec. 1831, in a similar capacity, to the Melville 74, bearing the flag in the East Indies of Sir John Gore. On 19 Sept. 18315, about three months after the latter ship had been paid off, Lieut. Johnson was advanced to the rank of Commander. He obtained an appointment, 20 Feb. 1836, in the Coast Guard, from which service, on 18 March, 1839, he was removed to the Second-Captaincy of the Winchester 50, flag ship of Sir Thos. Harvey, on the North America and West India station. He was superseded on the occasion of his elevation to the rank he now holds, 14 Dec. 1841, and has since been on half-pay.
Capt. Johnson married, in 18.30, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Thos. Harvey, C.B. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.