This hymn is somewhat unusual, in that the verses and the chorus were written by two different people in two different centuries.
William Hunter, who wrote the verses, was born in Ireland in 1811. His family emigrated to America when he was six years old. As an adult he edited Christian journals and several hymnals and eventually became a Methodist Episcopal minister, and in 1855, became Professor of Hebrew at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. He wrote over 100 hymns, of which "The Great Physician" and "I Feel Like Traveling On" remain popular today.
Richard Kempenfelt, composer of the chorus, was an admiral in the British navy. He died in shipwreck of The Royal George in 1782.
According to Town and Country magazine, Volume 14, 1782, the Royal George could not be raised, so Kempenfelt’s body was not recovered. However, his brother later funded a monument to him in Westminster Abbey, London, which includes this inscription:
In memory of Richard Kempenfelt Esqr. Rear Admiral of the Blue who was lost in His Majesty’s ship Royal George which overset and sunk at Spithead on the 29th of August 1782; by which fatal event about nine hundred persons were launched into eternity: and his King and country deprived of the services of a great and meritorious officer in the 64th year of his age.
Hymn writer William Cowper (best known for "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood") wrote this tribute to Kempenfelt.
On the Loss of the Royal George
Toll for the brave!
The brave that are no more!
All sunk beneath the wave,
Fast by their native shore!
Eight hundred of the brave,
Whose courage well was tried,
Had made the vessel heel,
And laid her on her side.
A land-breeze shook the shrouds,
And she was overset;
Down went the Royal George,
With all her crew complete.
Toll for the brave!
Brave Kempenfelt is gone;
His last sea-fight is fought;
His work of glory done.
It was not in the battle;
No tempest gave the shock;
She sprang no fatal leak;
She ran upon no rock.
His sword was in its sheath;
His fingers held the pen,
When Kempenfelt went down
With twice four hundred men.
Weigh the vessel up,
Once dreaded by our foes!
And mingle with our cup
The tears that England owes.
Her timbers yet are sound,
And she may float again
Full charged with England’s thunder,
And plough the distant main.
But Kempenfelt is gone,
His victories are o’er;
And he and his eight hundred
Shall plough the waves no more.
William Cowper, 1782