By the beginning of the War of 1812, "Adams" was the only American government vessel of any kind on the upper Great Lakes. "Adams" was armed with six cannon and operated out of Detroit. On 16 August 1812, General William Hull surrendered Detroit after a siege by British forces. "Adams", which had been at Detroit, was surrendered too, and was taken into Provincial Marine service and renamed "Detroit". The brig was added to the Provincial Marine's Lake Erie squadron. However, "Detroit"s British service was short lived.