James Johnstone

James Johnstone (c. 1759 – 1823) was a British naval officer and explorer. He is noted for having served as sailing master of the armed tender and later acting lieutenant during George Vancouver's 1791–1795 expedition to the Pacific Northwest. Johnstone Strait in British Columbia is named after him. Naval and private career Johnstone joined the navy early in 1779, serving aboard the ships HMS Keppel (a 14-gun sloop), HMS La Fortune (a recently captured French frigate), , , and ; during this time he sailed to New York, the West Indies (several times), and participated in the Battle of the Chesapeake. On the last ship he met Archibald Menzies, whom Johnstone would become lifelong friends with. He was appointed master in 1785, receiving his master's certificate the following year. Both he and Menzies were discharged in August 1786. Despite passing his lieutenant's examination the next month, he wouldn't receive his commission until seven years later. In October 1786 Johnstone left Britain as mate of Prince of Wales under James Colnett on a voyage to the Northwest coast of North America in search of sea otter. Menzies accompanied him. In January 1789 in Macau, when Colnett decided to take another ship, Argonaut, back to the Northwest coast, Johnstone assumed command of Prince of Wales. He sailed the ship back to Britain, which he reached in July. Vancouver expedition After rejoining the navy, Johnstone signed on as master of HMS Chatham, which would accompany George Vancouver in on an upcoming voyage to chart the Northwest coast of America. His old friend Menzies was appointed naturalist of the expedition. The two ships left in April 1791, reaching what is now the U.S. state of Washington in the spring of 1792. During the next three summers (1792, 1793, and 1794), Johnstone would lead many of the boat parties that surveyed the intricate coastline that makes up much of the region. During the first summer, besides helping to chart Hood Canal and exploring up Bute and Loughborough Inlets, as well as Fitz Hugh Sound and Burke Channel. Johnstone, early in July, discovered what Vancouver later named Johnstone Strait in his honor.