She belonged to the British Royal Navy's Transport Board and was based at Port Jackson.

The American privateer Holkar, captained by J. Rolland, captured Emu in 1812 on her outward-bound voyage.

She made one voyage to Ceylon, still under Jeffries' command, leaving on 19 April 1815 and arriving at Colombo Roads on 24 July.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie sent Kangeroo back to England after he determined that she was unsuitable for the colony.

[9] The "Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy" offered the "Kangaroo brig, of 203 tons", "lying at Deptford", for sale on 13 August 1818.