The Voyage of the Mascarin (1752)
Less two months after arriving in Lorient, Manuel Joseph found a position on the Mascarin. He is described as a 22-year-old free black from Portugal, the son of Antoine Joseph, with a medium build and black hair. He earned a wage of 17 livres as a sailor.
The Mascarin left Lorient on 14 March 1752. Seven months later it arrived at Île de France. Apparently it was not in good shape on arrival; on 31 October it was condemned.
Three weeks before the ship was formally condemned, much of the crew, including Manuel Joseph, transferred onto the Comte d'Argenson. There are records of the Comte d'Argenson serving as a coastal vessel in the region at the time, but the Mascarin crew members don't appear on its rôles. Seemingly, Joseph and his fellows remained in the region, as several of them found their way onto the Utile which was outfitted at Île de France ten months later.