She was commanded by Lieutenant Don Jesse Lopez, mounts a long 24-pounder in the bow, and two short brass fours; had a complement of thirty men, with some soldiers of the regiment Leon on board.
“In justice to Lieutenant James I must observe, my only motive for making one in this affair proceeded from the knowledge I conceived myself possessed of respecting that bay, but it afforded me an opportunity of witnessing his zeal and activity; Lieutenant Menzies, Mr. Holt, the marines, and boats’ crews, I have so frequently spoken of, that nothing remains for me to add, but the conviction how highly they merit every former praise. I have the honor to be, &c.
Some other services previously performed by the boats of the Minerva, are noticed in Suppl. Part III. p. 216, et seq. In 1807, Mr. Holt, then belonging to the Surveillante frigate. Captain Collier, was present at the siege of Copenhagen, and frequently commanded a rocket boat during the bombardment of that city.
On the 7th Nov. 1310, after acting for some time in the Nautilus sloop. Captain Dench, and San Josef 112, flag-ship of Sir Charles Cotton, Mr. Holt was appointed by his patron first lieutenant of the Blossom sloop. Captain William Stewart, on the Mediterranean station. Between this period and Oct. 1811, when he exchanged for a short time into the Royal George, first rate, at Port Mahon, he assisted in capturing upwards of twenty French and American merchant vessels (the latter taken for attempted breach of blockade,) in the neighbourhood of Marseilles. He was also repeatedly engaged with the enemy’s batteries and naval force in the same vicinity. In the beginning of Sept. 181 1, we find him employed on shore at the reduction of a French fort on the smaller Medis Island, mounting one mortar, two long 18-pounders, and two sixes, which service was performed in the presence of a formidable force assembled on Cape Begu, coast of Catalonia. On the 23d Feb. 1812, the Blossom captured a remarkably fine schooner privateer, le Jean Bart, of 147 tons, 7 guns, and 106 men. On the 29th April following, her boats, under the command of Lieutenant Holt, in conjunction with those of the Undaunted and Volontaire frigates, attacked twenty-six vessels near the mouth of the Rhone,
