The Dutch cutter Kemphaan, meaning "game cock", was launched in 1781 as a 12-gun advice boat, with a mission of carrying dispatches between the Netherlands and its colonies.

[3] Between October 1793 and 31 August 1794, Captain Frans Smeer escorted a convoy of merchantmen to the West Indies.

On 20 August 1799, a British force under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Trigge and Vice Admiral the Right Honourable Lord Hugh Seymour captured the Dutch colony of Suriname.

Among the various items of booty was the Dutch brig-sloop Kemphaan and the French corvette Hussard.

Seymour appointed Lieutenant Richard Thwaite, of Prince of Wales to command Camphaan.