She helped transport maritime pilots between inbound or outbound ships coming into the New York Harbor.

Her short career ended in 1839, when the John McKeon was shipwrecked in a hurricane that swept the New York coast.

Her builders were the Webb & Allen shipyard located at the foot of 6th Street, New York (East River).

[1][2] The John McKean's dimensions were 78.0 ft. in length; 21.0 ft. breadth of beam; 7.0 ft. depth of hold; and 104-tons.

[3][4] On August 28, 1839, the John McKeon was lost in a severe storm with four crewmen; the rest of the pilots were put on board ships.