A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Benn, Thomas
BENN. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 11; h-p., 31.)
Thomas Benn entered the Navy, 29 March, 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Defiance 74, Capt. Philip Chas. Durham, and on 22 July following was present in Sir Robt. Calder’s action with the combined squadrons of France and Spain. He shortly afterwards removed into the Kent 74, Capt. Henry Garrett, and in April, 1806, became Midshipman of the Achille 74. In that ship he served, latterly as Master’s Mate, under Capts. Sir Rich. King, Geo. Heneage Lawrence Dundas, and Aiskew Paffard Hollis, for upwards of nine years, during which period he appears to have been employed at the blockade of Ferrol and of Toulon, as also, for 18 months, of a French and Venetian squadron at Venice, besides assisting at the defence of Cadiz, and being ultimately, in 1814-15, after having convoyed a fleet of East Indiamen to a certain latitude, stationed at Rio Janeiro. He attained the rank of Lieutenant 8 Feb. 1815; was placed on half-pay 12 July following; and has not since been afloat.