Emu, Bissett, master, parted from her convoy and its escort, HMS Java, on 24 November.

[3] While she was en route to Hobart Town, the American 18-gun privateer Holkar, Captain J. Rolland,[4] captured her on 30 November 1812 in the Atlantic.

[4] LL reported on 16 April 1813 that Holkar had captured Emu, of 10 guns and 25 men, on 16 November, and put crew and convicts ashore at Cape Verde on 15 January 1813.

The convicts were placed on a hulk in Portsmouth harbour and subsequently sent aboard the transport Broxbornebury to Port Jackson.

The newspaper also reported that the arrogant commander, a naval lieutenant, could not persuade his crew to resist Holkar.