by John Marshall

“ The schooner had on board 29 stout fellows, of whom several, including the captain of the gang, were killed and wounded. Three of the Diana’s people received severe wounds, but fortunately not a man was slain. The Topaze was subsequently condemned as lawful prize.
On the 6th Aug. 1808, Lieutenant Kempthorne ran alongside of, and captured, a Dutch national brig, mounting 6 long 6-pounders, lying at anchor near the fort of Serookie, on the north side, and near the eastern end of Java. This vessel had on board a number of brass guns, intended to strengthen the defences of Sourabaya. ”

“ Kempthorne proceeding with Sir Edward Pellew, in the Culloden 74, to the East Indies, where he was appointed first lieutenant of the Cornwallis frigate, in 1805. He subsequently obtained the command of the Diana brig, mounting 10 twelve-pounder carronades, in which vessel he sailed from Bombay, on his first cruise, victualling only 26 officers and men, in May, 1807. ”

“ At the age of 16 years, he was taken by the republicans, carried into Rochelle, and there confined in the same prison as the common malefactors. After a captivity of six weeks, however, he had the good fortune to effect his escape, in company with Mr. Henry Gilbert, another Cornish youth; and in the course of a few days more was again safe on board the Indefatigable. His promotion to the rank of lieutenant took place in 1800. ”