Argo first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) with John Bader, master, Hulet & Co., owners, and trade London–South Seas.

[2] Argo arrived back at Gravesend on 24 February 1811 with a full cargo of 2500 barrels of whale oil.

[6][2] Lloyd's Register for 1813 gave the name of Argo's master as Anderson, her owner as Blythe & Co., and her trade as London–South Seas.

On 27 September 1812, Argo had left St Helena with the whalers Admiral Berkeley and Frederick, under escort by HMS Galatea, returning from the Indian Ocean.

The Americans gave chase and Congress captured Argo, but Galatea escaped and arrived at Portsmouth.

[11] Lloyd's List reported on 16 February 1813 that Argo, Walker, master, prize to Congress and President, arrived in Norfolk, Virginia on about 15 December 1813.