FRANCIS MASON, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1806.]
This officer was born Feb. 10, 1779, and had the misfortune to be left an orphan at a very early age. He entered the naval service under the protection of the late gallant and worthy Rear-Admiral John Willet Payne, by whom he was received as a Midshipman on board the Russel 74, at Chatham, in May, 1793; and with whom he bore a part in the memorable battle of June 1st, and also in the preceding actions of May 28 and 29, 1794; on which occasions the Russel sustained a total loss of 8 men killed and 26 wounded, received considerable damage in her hull, under water, and was much cut up in her masts, sails, and rigging.
In the ensuing winter, Mr. Mason was lent to the Jupiter 50, on board which ship his patron had hoisted a broad pendant, as Commodore of the squadron destined to escort H.S.H. the Princess Caroline of Brunswick, from Cuxhaven to England[1]. On his return from that service he rejoined the Russell, then commanded by Captain Thomas Larcom, a brave and zealous officer, under whom he served in Lord Bridport’s action, off l’Orient, June 23, 1795; on which day the Russell was the third ship that closed, and one of those most warmly engaged with the enemy; her loss, however, consisted of only 3 men slain and 10 wounded, including among the latter a military officer, who was doing duty as captain of marines[2].
Mr. Mason continued in the Russel, on the Channel and North Sea stations, until the latter end of 1796,when the whole of her officers and crew were turned over to the Impetueux of 78 guns[3], the command of which ship had been conferred
- ↑ See Vol. I. note ‡ at p. 353, et seq. It is worthy of remark, that Captain Mason’s eldest son assisted at the embarkation of her late Majesty’s remains, at Harwich, Aug. 16, 1821.
- ↑ Captain Bacon, of H.M. 118th regiment.
- ↑ Formerly l’Amerique, one of the Russel’s opponents on the glorious 1st of June.
