Rear-Admiral John Pasco (1774–1853) served in the Royal Navy between 1784 and 1853, eventually rising to the rank of rear admiral.

He served on various ships after 1787 and by 1790 he had risen to the rank of midshipman under Captain John Manley on HMS Syren.

He continued serving on various ships as midshipman and master's mate until 1795, mainly in the English Channel and West Indies.

In 1801, while still on Immortalite, he volunteered to command a boat to cut out the French corvette Chevrette from Camaret Bay on the north coast of Brittany; however, bad weather frustrated the plan.

I replied, 'If your Lordship will permit me to substitute the confides for expects the signal will soon be completed, because the word expects is in the vocabulary, and confides must be spelt', His Lordship replied, in haste, and with seeming satisfaction, 'That will do, Pasco, make it directly'.Nelson then ordered "Engage the enemy more closely" to be sent.

Pasco was severely wounded in the right side and arm with grapeshot early in the engagement and was carried below decks.

In November 1809 he took command of HMS Hindostan and sailed her to New South Wales, with his wife and two of his children accompanying him on the voyage.

During the voyage he showed an eagerness in pursuing and engaging any unknown ships, perhaps in an attempt to provide for his growing family from the spoils.