Emperor Alexander first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1816 with Chapman, master, Boux, owner, and trade London-Batavia.

British ships were then free to sail to India or the Indian Ocean and the East Indies under a license from the EIC.

[4] On 3 January 1816 Captain T. Chapman sailed Emperor Alexander to Fort William, India under a licence from the EIC.

[9] On 18 December as she was on her way from Danzig and Gothenburg, Emperor Alexander grounded near the entrance to the harbour at Elsinor during a fog.

Emperor Alexander had great difficulty rescuing the crews, having to use ropes to haul them individually to shore over the rocks.

She rescued eight members of Rosella's crew; the other 12 chose to remain on Bornholm to take care of the wreck and to await another vessel that might bring them home.

Off Flamborough Head, Emperor Alexander encountered the brig Henry and William, of Aberdeen, Allan, master and transferred the rescued men to her.