2361071Royal Naval Biography — Wright, MaysonJohn Marshall


MAYSON WRIGHT, Esq.
[Commander.]

Was made a lieutenant on the 1st of May, 1794 ; and appears to have been almost constantly employed, in the command of various small vessels, from the year 1798 until the conclusion of the late war. On the 2d of Mar. 1801, being then in the Cobourg hired armed brig, he captured le Bien Venu, French privateer, of 14 guns, on the North Sea station; and in June, 1803, we find him making the following report to the commander-in-chief at Portsmouth:

“Sir,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that cruising, pursuant to your directions, in H.M. hired armed cutter Albion, of six guns and twenty-seven men; at 3 p.m. 24th instant, we saw a cutter standing towards us; made sail in chase; at 5 we brought her to action, and, after a close engagement (within pistol-shot) of an hour and twelve minutes, she struck her colours, and proved to be the Marengo French privateer, of four guns and twenty-six men, belonging to Cherbourg; there was not any person wounded on board the Albion, though we had a few shot in our bull, and one gun dismounted; the enemy had three men wounded, one badly, and his sails and rigging cut to pieces. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)Mayson Wright.”

To Admiral Montagu.

This officer obtained his present rank on the 7th of Oct. 1813; and commanded the Albion of 12 guns, from that period until Jan. 1815.