On 29 January 1814, she was anchored in the mouth of the Stono River, South Carolina, when two British ships – a frigate and a brig – sailed close inshore.

Alligator hailed the newcomers whereupon they raised a cheer and opened with their boat carronades and small arms.

The return fire stopped the attackers cold, but, in the darkness, Alligator ran aground.

Her assailants had lost heart and rowed back downstream to their ships, apparently having suffered heavy casualties.

[1] This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.