A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Symons, Richard
SYMONS. (Commander, 1841.)
Richard Symons entered the Navy 2 Feb. 1821; passed his examination in 1827; obtained his first commission 19 April, 1837; and was appointed, 19 June following, to the Wellesley 72, Capt. Thos. Maitland. In that ship, which bore the flags of Sir Fred. Lewis Maitland and Sir Jas. John Gordon Bremer, he assisted in quelling an insurrection on the coast of Malabar, took part in diiferent operations on the coast of Sinde and in the Persian Gulf, and was warmly engaged during the hostilities in China. In the attack on the batteries at Chuenpee, 7 Jan. 1841, he ably managed the embarking and disembarking of the troops.[1] On 2 March following, being then Senior of the Wellesley, he was sent with three boats to tow the Sulphur, Capt. Edw. Belcher, up the Junk river, near Whampoa, for the purpose of reconnoitring. On rounding a point on the right bank the British came in front of a low battery of 25 guns, masked by thick branches of trees, which opened a heavy fire on them. Mr. Symons instantly cut the tow-rope, and gallantly dashed into the battery, driving the enemy before him and killing several of their number. The Sulphur anchored, and some shot from her completely routed them from the thick underwood in the vicinity in which they had taken shelter; the guns were destroyed; and the magazine and other consumable materiel were set on fire. The number of the troops was about 250; und these were of the chosen Tartars. The enemy’s loss amounted to 15 or 20 killed; that of the British, whose boats were repeatedly struck by grape-shot, to 1 man mortally wounded.[2] After contributing to the capture of Amoy, Mr. Symons, in Oct. 1841, landed with the right column under Capt. Herbert in the attack upon Chinghae.[3] He was promoted for his services to the rank of Commander by a commission bearing date 8 June, 1841. Since his return to England he has been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.