James Vashon (9 August 1742 – 27 October 1827) was a British officer of the Royal Navy. He saw service during the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He was first captain of HMS Dreadnought, between 1801 and 1802. Previously, he had commanded Alert (1781), Europa (1786), and Formidable.Washington's Vashon Island was named after him by the explorer George Vancouver, who had been Vashon's subordinate in Europa.