In 1811, Major Oliver Williams built her at River Rouge, near Detroit. She then sailed on the Great Lakes in pursuit of his business. She was sailing from Chicago to Detroit under the command of Master William Lee, with Williams aboard as supercargo, having delivered military supplies to Fort Dearborn from Fort Michilimackinac and bringing back a consignment of furs from the government agent there when Lee put in at the fort on July 17, 1812. Unfortunately, in their absence, the British had captured the fort earlier the same day. Shortly after the British captured the fort several American vessels, including Friends Good Will, sailed up, unaware of the commencement of the war, or the fort's capture. The British hoisted the American flag and when the vessels tied up the pier the British cap