was knocked overboard, badly wounded in the head and back by boarding pikes, notwithstanding which he renewed the attempt as soon as a 6-oared cutter arrived to his assistance, and at length succeeded in obtaining possession. 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.
Towards the close of the same year, when Rear-Admiral Drury made a demonstration of attacking Canton, in order to enforce some demands on the Chinese government. Lieutenant Kempthorne proceeded up Junk river, with a prize brig and the East India Company’s cruiser Discovery under his orders, and effectually blockaded that city until the enterprise was abandoned.
The Diana and Discovery were afterwards sent to Manilla, to procure the release of the officers and crew of the Greyhound frigate, Captain the Hon. William Pakenham, recently wrecked on the coast of Luconia. On their return to India, they fell in with two French frigates, the Canoniere and Laurel, off Pulo Aor, from whence they were chased down to the straits of Sincapore. The Diana having thrown her guns overboard, escaped in the night, through a narrow channel near Point Romania; but the Discovery, in which vessel Captain Pakenham had embarked, was taken[1]. In consequence of Lieutenant Kempthorne’s escape, the enemy thought it prudent to quit their cruising ground, which was soon afterwards passed over by a valuable fleet of country ships, under the
