time her boats brought out several vessels which she afterwards convoyed through the Gulf; and thus was saved, through the promptitude and exertions of Captain Hollis, property to a considerable amount, which would otherwise have been confiscated[1].
The Mermaid was subsequently employed blockading some French ships in the Chesapeake, and affording protection to the British trade between Nova Scotia and the West Indies; but being at length found defective, was ordered to England with a homeward bound fleet, and on the 20th Aug. 1807, put out of commission.
Captain Hollis’s next appointment was, March 16, 1809, to the Standard 64, forming part of the Baltic fleet under Sir James Saumarez, by whom he was entrusted with the command of a small squadron sent to reduce the Danish island of Anholt; which service was most ably effected by a strong detachment of seamen and marines landed with their respective officers, under the cover of the ships composing the squadron[2]. The garrison, consisting of 170 men, surrendered at discretion. On our side only 1 man was killed and 2 wounded.
This island, although of no. intrinsic value, proved of great importance to the British, as from its situation near the entrances of the Baltic sea, and the refuge it afforded to the enemy’s gun-boats and privateers, the safety of our valuable East country trade could never be relied on whilst it remained in the possession of Denmark. The utility of its capture may be inferred from the circumstance of Captain Hollis having afterwards passed through the Belt, at different times, with upwards of two thousand sail under his protection, going to and returning from the Baltic.
Early in 1811, the Standard was ordered to convoy a fleet
- ↑ A few days after the performance of the above-important service, certain intelligence was received in the West Indies of a British squadron having attacked four Spanish frigates laden with treasure, of which three were captured and one blown up, on the 5th of the preceding month, just six weeks prior to Captain Hollis’s departure from the Havannah. See Vol. I, p. 536.
- ↑ Standard 64, Captain Hollis; Owen Glendower frigate, Captain Selby; Ranger, Rose, and Avenger sloops, Captains Acklom, Mansel, and White; and Snipe gun-brig, Lieutenant Champion.
