A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Simkin, John
SIMKIN. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 10; h-p., 31.)
John Simkin was born 18 Feb. 1792. He is brother of Retired Commander Thos. Allen Simkin, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 15 April, 1806, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Racehorse 18, Capts. Robt. Forbes and Wm. Fisher, employed on the Mediterranean and Home stations, where, from Dec. 1807 until presented in Aug. 1815 with a commission bearing date 28 Feb. in that year, he served, principally in the capacity of Midshipman, in the Salvador del Mondo, flag-ship of Admiral Young, Cambrian 40, Capts. Rich. Budd Vincent and Fras. Wm. Fane, Kent 74, Capt. Thos. Rogers, Goshawk 16, Capts. Jas. Lilburn, Thos. Ball Clowes, and Hon. Wm. John Napier, Pilot 18, Capt. John Toup Nicolas, and Nautilus 18, Capts. Thos. Dench and John Bradley. In the Racehorse and Cambrian he was in frequent action with the enemy’s batteries on the coasts of France and Catalonia; and while in the Goshawk, in which vessel he continued from Oct. 1809 until Oct. 1812, he assisted in causing the self-destruction, 25 March, 1811, of the French 40-gun frigate Amazone, near Barfleur light-house, and on 7 Sept. following, when in company with the Barbadoes 24, chased into Calvados seven French gun-brigs (one of which was driven on shore), mounting 3 long 24-pounders and a mortar each, and manned with 75 men. Since he left the Nautilus he has been on half-pay.
Lieut. Simkin has been three times married, and has seven children.