Commissioned as a tender at New Orleans, she served on that station under the command of Captain Robert Hatch until late in 1814 when the British captured her at the Battle of Lake Borgne.

He organized with Master Commandant Daniel Patterson of the U.S. Navy to send a flotilla to Lake Borgne to guard and defend against the approach of Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane and his fleet.

At the time the water level of the lake (Borgne) was lower than normal which forced Jones to lighten the load of his vessels, allowing him to elude the approaching British boats.

Lockyer's force could not advance in striking range due to the low tide, opposing currents and adverse winds until the morning of 14 December, when conditions became more favorable.

[8] Alligator's participation in the Battle of Lake Borgne — an American defeat, but one that helped to buy precious time[citation needed] for General Andrew Jackson's successful defense of New Orleans – proved very brief.