The ship operated out of Apalachicola, Florida and in 1851 added an Australia route to the line.

Norton and son expanded and added a South America route with packet sailing ships.

During World War II Norton Lilly & Company's Norton Lilly Management Corp. operated Merchant navy ships for the United States Shipping Board.

Norton Lilly & Company operated Liberty ships for the merchant navy.

The ship was run by its Norton Lilly & Company crew and the US Navy supplied United States Navy Armed Guards to man the deck guns and radio.