opinion entertained of him by the two flag-officers under whom he had served more than half that time, will be seen by the following letter:
“Dear Sir,– Captain Johnston having requested me to state my approbation of his conduct during the period of my command in India, I confess it gives me great satisfaction to do him the justice be deserves at my hands. I found Captain Johnston not only an officer of very considerable merit and talents, but as full of zeal for his Majesty’s service, and ardent activity and enterprise, as any officer I ever had under my command. Captain Johnston enjoyed the confidence and good opinion of the late Admiral Rainier, who spoke of him to me as one of his best officers, and on every occasion of service I found that opinion perfectly correct. Captain Johnston took his ship, the Powerful, to England, after serving in India eleven years. I trust his own character will justify me to you for thus bringing him before you. I am, dear Sir, with the highest respect, and most perfect esteem, your obedient, and most faithfully devoted servant,
“Right Hon. Charles Yorke, &c. &c. &c.”
Captain Johnston’s next, and last, appointment was to the Scarborongh a third rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Ferrier, on the North Sea station, which ship he continued to command until the conclusion of the war, in 1814.
EDWARD RATSEY, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1806.]
Son, we believe, of Lieutenant Robert Ratsey, R.N. who died at Cowes, in 1814.
This officer served as a Lieutenant on board the Culloden 74, bearing the flag of Sir Edward Pellew, now Viscount Exmouth, in the East Indies; on which station he was successively advanced to the rank of Commander and Post-Captain. His commissions were confirmed by the Admiralty, Feb. 4, 1806, and Sept. 5, in the same year.
In Aug. 1805, we find Captain Ratsey commanding the Harrier brig of 18 guns, which vessel had 2 men wounded, and was much cut up in her masts, sails, and rigging, whilst engaged with a French frigate, in the Philippine archipelago; an account of which action will be found in James’s Naval History, 2d edit. Vol. IV, pp. 219–221.
