In October 1818 she participated with the First Chilean Navy Squadron under the command of Manuel Blanco Encalada in the campaign to deter the Spanish convoy of the frigate María Isabel. She was not involved in the capture of the frigate in Talcahuano, but on 18 November she captured the Spanish transporters Jerezana, Carlota and Rosalía of the convoy.
On 24 March 1819, during the second blockade of Callao she captured the Spanish sloop Moctezuma.
In 1826 she set sail with Galvarino, Aquiles, and Lautaro from Corral under the command of Manuel Blanco Encalada in order to capture the last Spanish enclave in South America, Chiloé, commanded by Antonio de Quintanilla.
Chacabuco was sold to Argentina on 1 April 1826, together with O'Higgins and . Out of the three she was the only one to reach Buenos Aires. (O'Higgins sank while rounding Cape Horn; Independencia sank in Talcahuano but was refloated and sold to Peru).