Like her predecessor, her primary winter duties were keeping Prince Edward Island connected to the mainland—one of the conditions under which the province had entered Confederation.

The ship entered service in 1899 and remained on the East Coast of Canada until 1915, when Minto was sold to the Russian Empire.

The vessel was launched on 12 July 1899, named for the Governor General of Canada, Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto.

[3] Like Stanley, Minto was used as a lighthouse and buoy supply vessel from spring to fall and in winter, was used for icebreaking and passenger ferry service to and from Prince Edward Island.

[1] During the First World War, the Russian Empire required icebreakers to keep northern ports open for cargo traffic.