A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Mason, Thomas Henry
MASON. (Commander, 1841.)
Thomas Henry Mason entered the Navy 7 Nov. 1822; passed his examination in 1830; obtained his first commission 21 July, 1837; and was appointed – 29 of the same month, as Additional Lieutenant, to the Winchester 52, flag-ship in the East Indies of Hon. Sir Thos. Bladen Capel – 11 March, 1838, to the Wellesley 72, bearing the flag of Sir Fred. Lewis Maitland on the same station – and, 26 March, 1839, to the command of the Algerine 10. In that vessel he obtained mention for his zeal and alacrity at the capture of Chusan in July, 1840;[1] after which he was sent, in company with the Conway 28, and Young Hebe tender, to examine the entrance of the Yang-tse-Kiang. In the attack made upon Canton in March, 1841, we find him enacting a very conspicuous part;[2] as he subsequently did in the operations renewed in the following May against that place. Having, in the words of Sir Humphrey Le Fleming Senhouse, won his promotion by a series of gallant and brave services,[3] he was accordingly, 8 June, 1841, advanced to the rank of Commander. Continuing, however, in the Algerine until Sept. 1842, he was afforded an opportunity of aiding in the capture of Amoy.[4] He has been in command, since 25 Jan. 1847, of the Medea steam-sloop of 350 horse-power, in the East Indies.
Commander Mason married, 14 July, 1846, Isabella Susanna, third daughter of the late Edw. Frere, Esq., of Bitton, Gloucestershire.