Prince Alfred first arrive at San Francisco June 6, 1870, "from Central American ports," and soon thereafter was sold to entrepreneurs who fitted her up to work between San Francisco and Victoria, British Columbia. For the remainder of her career, Prince Alfred remained on the Victoria run.

Prince Alfred departed Victoria on June 11, 1874, with 85 passengers and cargo of 100 bags of charcoal, 1 package of castings, 3 cases gaiters, 21 bundles of deer skins, 3 cases effect, 1 organ, 2 bundles and 213 hides, 31 sacks of furs, 75 bags of coal, 37 bales of wood, 3 packages merchandise and $24,127 in treasure.

On June 14, 1874, in a thick coastal fog, Prince Alfred stuck Duxbury Reef, but the impact was so slight that the vessel continued on until the chief engineer informed the captain that water was pouring into the ship from a 10-foot-square hole punched through the side. The fires were extinguished to prevent the boilers exploding, and sail was raised in an attempt to run for shore. Prince Alfred was finally run aground on the rocks just north of Tennessee Cove. The passengers and crew were safely landed, the crew bringing the treasure and mail to San Francisco in a boat. Three tugs were dispatched to the wreck, but Prince Alfred sank and could not be salvaged. Some the cargo washed ashore after the wreck, but the remainder stayed on the bottom with Prince Alfred. Delgado & Haller [2]