A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Washington, John
WASHINGTON. (Captain, 1842. f-p., 25; h-p., 10.)
John Washington entered the Navy, 15 May, 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Junon of 46 guns, Capt. Jas. Sanders, fitting for the North American station; where he took part in many operations in the Chesapeake, assisted in making prize of several of the enemy’s vessels, and contributed, in company with the Narcissus and Barrosa frigates, to the complete discomfiture of 15 gun-boats that had been despatched for the express purpose of capturing the Junon, after an action of three hours, in which the latter had 2 men killed and 3 wounded, 20 June, 1813. Removing, as Midshipman, in the following Oct., to the Sybille 44, he sailed in that ship in 1814, under Capt. Thos. Forrest, with the Princess Caroline 74, Capt. Hugh Downman, for the latitude of Greenland, in fruitless pursuit of the American Commodore, Rodgers. In Nov. of the same year, having returned to England, he entered the Royal Naval College. On leaving that institution he was received, in May, 1816, on board the Forth 40, Capt. Sir Thos. Louis; under whom he was again for upwards of three years employed on the coast of North America. He then in succession, in July, 1819, and Aug. 1820, joined the Vengeur 74, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, and Superb 78, Capts. Thos. White and Adam Mackenzie, both on the South American station; where he remained until some months after his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, which took place 1 Jan. 1821. His next appointments were – 15 Feb. 182.3, as First, to the Pakthian 10, Capt. Hon. Geo. Barrington, employed on particular service – 14 May, 1827, after about two years of half-pay, to the Weazle 10, Capt, John Burnet Dundas, whom he accompanied to the Mediterranean – 12 Dec. following, to the Dartmouth 42, Capt. Thos. Fellowes, on the latter station – and, 6 Aug. 1830, to the Royal George 120, as Flag-Lieutenant to Sir John Poo Beresford, Commander-in-Chief at the Nore. He continued to serve under the officer last mentioned in the Ocean 80, until advanced to the rank of Commander 14 Aug. 1833. His last appointments afloat were – 16 March, 1841, and 29 Jan. 1843, to the Shearwater and Blazer steamers, in which vessels he was continuously employed on surveying service until the close of 1847. He was promoted to the rank he now holds in compliment to the King of Prussia, 16 March, 1842.
Capt. Washington, who is eminent as a Maritime Surveyor, was for some time Secretary to the Geographical Society, and was appointed, 25 Jan. 1845, a Commissioner for Inquiring into the State of the Rivers, Shores, and Harbours of the United Kingdom. At present he is employed in the Railway and Harbour Department of the Admiralty. He married, 3 Sept. 1833, Eleonora, youngest daughter of the Rev. H. Askew, Rector of Greystoke, co. Cumberland, by whom he has issue. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.