to Captain Otway, and to him alone. It was performed by him and a single boat’s crew; and we will venture to affirm, that it stands unparalleled in naval history. In the first place, ve have to observe, that it was the Holstein, and not the Zealand, which was the object in dispute: two officers had been sent to demand and get possession of her, but had failed. Lord Nelson then wrote a note to Sir Hyde Parker, stating that the Holstein had struck her colours in the action, but that when she was some hours after attempted to be taken possession of, the Danish captain refused to surrender, under the subterfuge that his pendant was still flying; and actually fired musketry (it being nearly dark) at the boats that were ordered to take possession of her. His Lordship then proposed that she should be peremptorily demanded: and concluded by saying, ‘You had better send Otway on this delicate affair.’
“Such a mark of his Lordship’s opinion of Captain Otway’s judgment and abilities could not fail of being highly gratifying to his feelings to be chosen to perform an important duty is at all times flattering; but to be selected to perform that which others with equal means had been unable to achieve, is the highest gratification that an heroic spirit can desire. Having obtained Sir Hyde Parker’s permission to adopt and follow his own plan for the capture or recovery of the Holstein, Captain Otway instantly went on board the Eling schooner hoisted a flag of truce, and anchored off the bow of the enemy’s ship, which was at anchor within pistol-shot of one of the Crown batteries. Her pendant was still flying, though her colours were down, and she was preparing to warp into the arsenal. Seeing there was not a moment to be lost, Captain Otway immediately pushed alongside of her in the Eling’s boat having ordered the coxswain (a bold and determined character) to take the opportunity, while he was claiming the ship from the surviving officers, to proceed, unperceived if possible, through the main-chains, into the main-top, haul down the pendant, and convey it into the boat. Strange as this may appear, it was accomplished to the very letter; the attention of the whole crew being directed towards Captain Otway, who was standing on the quarter-deck demanding possession of the ship, which they still refused to give up, but referred him to their commodore, who was on board a two-decker close by in the arsenal; making use of their former plea, that the pendant (though it was then in the Eling’s boat) was still flying. Thus far successful in his object, and his situation being such as, in the event of a discovery, would not have been a very pleasant one. Captain Otway gladly embraced the offer of a reference to the commodore. He accordingly proceeded to his ship in one of the Danish boats and accompanied by a Danish officer, having ordered the Eling’s boat, containing the pendant, to return to the schooner. Finding on his arrival that the commodore spoke English very fluently, Captain Otway immediately entered on the object of his visit, and demanded that the ship should be given up. He was met with the old objection, that her colours