Herald first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1790 with Pearson, master, Middleton, owner, and trade Hull–Petersburg.

[3] After the onset of war with France Britain's merchant fleet provided French, and later Dutch privateers with a target-rich environment.

As she was sailing from Great Yarmouth on 5 January 1800, bound for Leith via the Northern Passage, she rounded the Cockle Buoy.

[4] Two fishermen from Winterton, in Norfolk, Abel King and William Pile, volunteered to go out and try to rescue the crew.

[5] The navy convened a court martial on 15 January aboard HMS Glatton in Yarmouth Roads to try Lieutenant Watson for Mastiff's loss.