“Lieutenant Bartholomew of the Diadem, who was strongly recommended to me by Rear-Admiral Stirling, for his knowledge of the river, embarked with me; and I feel it my duty to state to their lordships, that he was of infinite service.”
The Diadem then bore the flag of Rear-Admiral Stirling, with whom Lieutenant Bartholomew returned to the Cape of Good Hope, after the British forces were withdrawn from South America. We next find him serving under Captain George Davies, in the Sapphire sloop, to which he was appointed by Vice-Admiral Bertie, from the Diadem. The Sapphire was employed in conveying Sir Harford Jones on an embassy to Persia; and Lieutenant Bartholomew appears to have taken the opportunity afforded by her detention at Bushire, waiting for despatches, of surveying the island of Carrack and both sides of the gulf, as far as his slender means enabled him. His appointment to the Sapphire took place, Jan. 10, 1808.
In 1809, the expedition against Antwerp was undertaken, and on the 13th July, Lieutenant Bartholomew, then recently arrived in England, was directed to assume the command of the Berwick Packet, a vessel of 108 tons burthen, hired for the purpose of conveying Congreve’s rockets, &c. &c. from Woolwich to the island of Walcheren. In her he was present at the reduction of Flushing, and very actively employed whenever proper opportunities presented themselves during the remainder of that campaign.
On the 4th July, 1810, Lieutenant Bartholomew was re-appointed to the Sapphire, then at Plymouth; but he had scarcely joined her when it was determined that officers of his rank should be sent out to command the gun-boats employed in the defence of Cadiz, and his name appeared in the list of those selected for that service. Shortly after his arrival there, he was ordered by Sir Richard G. Keats to watch the movements of the enemy at Puerta Real, Chiclana, and the adjacent posts, Lieutenant-General Graham (now Lord Lyndoch) having requested the Rear-Admiral “to station a naval officer of intelligence at the Gallineros and in the Sancti Petri river,” for the purpose of observing and reporting whatever changes might take place in the disposition of the besieging forces.
