Served as midshipman on board the Orion 74, Captain Sir James Saumarez, and received a wound at the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797^[1]. His first commission bears date April 17, 1799.

We next find this officer in the Cerberus frigate, on the Guernsey station, where he commanded her boats at the capture of several small French vessels. By reference to p. 44, et seq. of SuppL Part I. it will be seen that he bore an active part at the bombardment of Granville, in Sept. 1803. He subsequently served as lieutenant of the Victory, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir James Saumarez, on the Baltic station, where he appears to have been promoted to the command of the Rose sloop, Sept. 17, 1808.

On the 23d Aug. 1813, Captain Mansell was removed to the Pelican brig, of 18 guns, in which he captured the Siro, American letter of marque, laden with cotton, Jan. 13, 1814. This vessel was a schooner of 225 tons, pierced for 16 guns, mounting 12 long 9-pounders, with a complement of 49 men: she had been chased by several other British cruisers; but ​escaped through superior sailing, and was intended to cruise against our trade, after landing her cargo at Bourdeaux.

Captain Mansell’s advancement to post rank took place June 7, 1814.