A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Townsend, John
TOWNSEND. (Lieutenant, 1844.)
John Townsend is youngest son of the late Horatio Townsend, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, by Elizabeth Trelawney, only daughter of Lieut.-General Sam. Townsend; and brother of the present Edw. Townsend, Esq., Major in Her Majesty’s 83rd Regt.
This officer entered the Navy 17 July, 1829; passed his examination 2 Nov. 1836; served for some time as Mate in the Revenge 76, Capt. Hon. Wm. Waldegrave, on the Mediterranean station; and from the commencement of 1842 until removed, 13 Nov. 1846, to the Vestal 26, Capt. Chas. Talbot, was employed in the same capacity and as Lieutenant (commission dated 9 Feb. 1844) in the Agincourt 72, flag-ship of Sir Thos. John Cochrane, in the East Indies. He returned to England in July, 1847; and has been officiating, since 18 July, 1848, as First of the Pantaloon 8, Capt. Lewis De Teissier Prevost, on the coast of Africa.