Originally named Contractor, the sloop Trippe was purchased by the US Navy in 1812. Under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Holdup, she carried a crew of 35 and was armed with one 32-pounder. During the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, she fought a long-range duel with two British ships, severely damaging them. Along with the schooner Scorpion, she helped capture two British ships during the battle. Later she was used to ferry supplies for General William Harrison. After British troops forced the evacuation of Buffalo in October 1813, they set fire to the abandoned sloop, completely destroying her and the supplies on board.