Rattler was also much exposed to the land batteries, but without sustaining any material loss or damage.
On the 5th Jan. 1805, a gallant but unsuccessful attempt was made by a detachment sent from that sloop and the Folkstone lugger to bring out a French privateer which had anchored near St. Valery en Caux; the particulars thereof will be found in our memoir of Commander W. C. C. Dalyell.
In May 1805, the Rattler sailed for Newfoundland, in company with the Isis 50, bearing the flag of Sir Erasmus Gower, from whom she parted in a fog, after making the outer bank, and the same night had a most providential escape from shipwreck on an island of ice, which was not discovered until she had run nearly alongside of it. During the ensuing five daya and nights her situation was very perilous, she being constantly surrounded by large floating masses, the weather often tempestuous, and extremely foggy.
On his return to England, with a fleet of merchantmen under his protection, Captain Mason was again ordered to the same station, in company with two frigates and the outward bound trade. Proceeding thither the convoy encountered most dreadful weather, and the Rattler was at length obliged to bear up for Kinsale, in consequence of her having been ran foul of by one of the merchant vessels. After repairing the damages thus sustained, Captain Mason lost no time in resuming his voyage; but had not been many days out of port when he fell in with a French squadron from Rochefort, and very narrowly escaped capture.
During the ensuing winter, the Rattler was frozen up in St. John’s harbour, from whence she sailed on a cruise. Mar. 31, 1806. On the 3d July following. Captain Mason was superseded in the command of that sloop, he having been advanced to post rank, Jan. 22d. in the same year.
His next appointment was, through the gracious interference of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, to the Daphne of 20 guns, in which ship he accompanied the military and naval reinforcements sent to Buenos Ayres, under the late Sir Samuel Auchmuty, and Captain (now Vice-Admiral) Donnelly, in Oct. 1806. He was consequently present at the capture
