brought out seven, burnt twelve, including a national schooner of 4 guns and 74 men, and left two stranded on the beach Lieutenant Holt next joined the Undaunted frigate, Captain (now Sir Thomas) Ussher; and was serving on board the San Josef, bearing the flag of Sir Richard King, at the capture of Genoa, in April 1814. On the renewal of the war with France, in 1815, he received an appointment to the Ferret sloop. Commander James Stirling (b), and distinguished himself in cutting out some vessels from the harbour of Courgiou. In the following year, the Ferret, on her return from St. Helena, with only eight 12-pounder carronades mounted, was attacked near the line by the American-built brigantine Dolores, having on board nearly 300 slaves, armed with one long 32-pounder on a pivot, four long 9-pounders, and two 12-pounder carronades, which vessel she compelled to surrender after a sharp action. Lieutenant Holt’s services in the Ferret are thus acknowledged in a letter which he subsequently received from Commander Stirling:
“My dear Sir,– In reply to your letter I need not say how willingly I would bear testimony to your character as an officer whenever I may be called upon to do so, or whenever it may be useful to you in obtaining advancement in your profession, feeling as I do a high sense of the zeal and ability that so uniformly marked your conduct when serving with me.
“As first lieutenant of H.M. sloop Ferret, under my command, in the attack of the harbour of Courgiou, your exertions called forth my warmest approbation, particularly the promptness with which you took possession of the French man-of-war brig, and brought her to an anchor when she attempted to run for the rocks[1].
“When engaged with the brigantine Dolores, the mention I made of your name in my despatch was in the highest terms, which you so justly merited; and, after a series of services with you in four of H.M. ships, I can safely say that a more zealous officer I never had the good fortune to meet with. Believe me, my dear Sir, yours most sincerely,
Lieutenant Holt’s next appointment was, in Mar. 1823, to be first of the Hussar frigate. Captain George Harris, fitting out for the West India station, where he was serving when
