A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Johnston, Frederick Erskine
JOHNSTON. (Commander, 1846.)
Frederick Erskine Johnston is second son of the Right Hon. Sir Alex. Johnston, F.R.S., of Carnsalloch, CO. Dumfries (late Chief Justice and President of Her Majesty's Council in the island of Ceylon), by Louisa, only daughter of the late Lord Wm. Campbell, Captain R.N., son of John, fourth Duke of Argyll. The Commander is nephew of Major-General Fras. Jas. Johnston, C.B.; and great-grandson of Francis Lord Napier.
This officer entered the Navy 4 Sept. 1828; passed his examination in 1834; obtained his first commission 28 June, 1838; and was successively appointed – 25 July, 1838, and 6 Jan. 1841, to the Tyne 26, Capt. John Townshend, and (as Flag-Lieutenant to Sir Chas. Napier) to the Powerful 84, both in the Mediterranean – 28 Aug. 1841, to the Formidable 84, Capt. Sir Edw. Thos. Troubridge, fitting at Sheerness – 2 Oct. 1841, and 23 April, 1844, to the Queen 110, and again to the Formidable, bearing each the flag of Sir Edw. W. C. R. Owen on the Mediterranean station – and, 18 Dec. 1845, as Senior, to the Terrible steam-frigate, Capt. Wm. Ramsay, attached to the Channel squadron. He attained his present rank 9 Nov. 1846; and has since been on half-pay.