Although Lloyd's Register shows her continuing in the same trade, actually during the time Staniforth & Co. owned her, she transported supplies to Botany Bay for the British government.

Prince of Wales then carried a cargo from Canton back to England for the British East India Company (EIC).

[4][5] The outward voyage was uneventful, with Prince of Wales rounding the Cape of Good Hope and proceeding eastward through the Southern Ocean to reach Port Jackson on 2 November.

Milner planned to turn the ship northeast into the open ocean, then swing northwest in an arc towards Macao and the Whampoa anchorage to collect a cargo of tea.

[10] Prince of Wales raised anchor and returned to sea, sailing aimlessly north and east in the hope of finding a more hospitable village from which to seek a guide.

When Paine finally attained the quarterdeck, he described a scene of confusion:The Captain was bawling to square the yards and stop the Ship's way; but with very little attention from the Ship's Company who impressed with the idea of Chinese pirates were alone intent in cutting and slashing away upon the vessel's rigging and sail and preventing the China-men from coming on board ... (The Chinese) clambered up the Fore-chains, impelled no doubt with the fear of their vessel sinking after receiving so violent a shock; this with the extreme darkness of the night and the confusion of voices crying out, "a light, a light, a cutlass, a cutlass, a handspike, here they come!"

[11]Those Chinese sailors who reached the English ship's deck were attacked with cutlasses and hurled back overboard, despite making "piteous cries" for mercy.

Prince of Wales' crew regretted their actions the following day, when calmer consideration made clear the collision had been accidental and not part of a pirate attack.

"[13] Finally, on 5 February a Chinese merchant ship was sighted, and hove to in response to hails from Prince of Wales' crew.

One of the Chinese vessel's crew agreed to act as pilot for the English ship and two days later Prince of Wales was within sight of the port of Macao.