Golden West had a long and sharp bow, with a gilded figurehead of an eagle.

Golden West sailed under many different captains, making trips between New York, San Francisco, the Far East, Liverpool and Australia.

An outline of her voyages is as follows: Boston to San Francisco, Captain Samuel R. Curwen, 124 days, 1852.

San Francisco to the Chincha Islands, for a load of guano; arrived at Hampton Roads, January 20, 1854; 69 days from Callao.

Crandall, 101 days, 1863 New York to Liverpool, 1863 Golden West was sold at auction to British buyers in 1863.