A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Symes, Aaron Stark
SYMES. (Lieutenant, 1816. f-p., 10; h-p., 29.)
Aaron Stark Symes, born 17 Sept. 1792, at Coombe St. Nicholas, in the parish of Chard, Somersetshire, is eldest son of Jonathan Wyatt Symes, Esq., of Chardstock and Posted, co. Somerset. This officer entered the Navy, 7 Dec. 1808, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Pheasant 18, Capts. John Palmer and Edm. Walker; in which sloop he continued employed on the Channel, West India, and Newfoundland stations, as Midshipman and Acting-Master, until Nov. 1815. He contributed during that period to the capture of three French privateers and several armed American vessels, and was often intrusted with the charge of a prize. Having passed his examination 5 April, 1815, he was nominated, 11 May, 1816, Admiralty-Midshipman of the Hebrus 36, Capt. Edm. Palmer; under whom we find him, in the ensuing Aug., assisting at the bombardment of Algiers. On that memorable occasion, and while the battle was at its height, the present Capt. Peter Richards, as will be seen by a reference to his memoir, was sent in the Queen Charlotte’s barge to set fire to an Algerine frigate moored across the Mole. At this moment Mr. Symes, who was in command of rocket-boat No. 8, “although,” to use the words of Lord Exmouth, “forbidden, was led by his ardent spirit to follow in support of the barge.” As his boat, however, being flat-bottomed, could not keep pace with her companion, she became exposed to a fire which, out of 17 persons, killed an officer and 2 men, and severely wounded 11 others. Mr. Symes himself had his lower jaw fractured, and part of his tongue carried away, by a musket-ball; his left side was pierced; and, in addition to several contusions, he received a painful wound in the right hand.[1] In this state he succeeded in getting from under the enemy’s batteries and reaching the Queen Charlotte, the Commander-in-Chiefs ship. As a reward for his conduct he was presented with a Lieutenant’s commission dated 16 Sept. 1816; and on 8 Dec. 1817, a special exception being made by the Admiralty in his favour, he was allotted for his wounds a pension of 91l. 5s. per annum. He obtained also a grant from the Patriotic Fund. He has been employed since 21 May, 1845, in the Packet service at Liverpool, in the Redwing, Urgent, and St. Colombia steamers – the first commanded by Capt. Thos. Bevis, the two last (to which he was appointed 19 June, 1846, and 5 Jam. 1848) by himself.
Lieut. Symes (who appears to have commanded a ship of his own in the Mediterranean, South America, and the North Sea) married, 19 Nov. 1819, Sarah, fourth daughter of Wm. Jefferys, Esq., for many years a merchant in the island of Guernsey, by whom he has issue five sons and three daughters.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1816, pp. 1791-3.