She was assigned as an armed patrol craft, but, at times, performed other duties along the U.S. East Coast, such as dispatch boat and training ship for the U.S.

On Christmas Day, while en route to the Virginia Capes, the remaining boiler tubes blew, leaving the ship without any steam whatever.

Lyndonia got underway on 4 February for New London, Connecticut, and arrived off the Delaware Capes the following day, only to encounter heavy ice floes which blocked further passage.

Going to general quarters, Vega altered course to close the unidentified craft and flashed recognition signals and challenges in Morse code.

Upon closer investigation, the unidentified ship turned out to be SS Skandeborg, a Danish merchantman bound from Cuba to New York City with a general cargo—mostly sugar.

On 28 October, following repairs at the New York Navy Yard, Vega sailed south to Annapolis, Maryland, where she arrived three days later to commence duties as a training ship for midshipmen at the U.S.