The boiler produced a steam pressure of 15 pounds per square inch (100 kPa), and the engine was one of the earliest examples of the side-lever type.

[5] The Mona's Isle, as opposed to the St. George Company's ships, had been designed to shelter passengers, and had spacious and comfortable cabins.

Her first trip was to the Menai Bridge on 15 August; a week later she ran an excursion to Bangor, North Wales; advertised as:- " The Mona's Isle will sail with passengers at 9 a.m. returning the following day at 2 p.m.

"[9] The major task of Mona's Isle however, was to open the Liverpool - Douglas service for the Steam Packet Company, and to beat the opposition.

The Sophia Jane under the command of Lieutenant Tudor, R.N., sailed at the same time and reached Liverpool one and a half minutes ahead.

[13] The early defeats were probably caused by the fact that Mona's Isle's new engine took time to run in and full speed was not attainable at first.

Mona's Isle, however, had proved herself capable of travelling between Liverpool and Douglas in eight hours at a speed of 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph).

A letter to the Editor of the Liverpool Mercury stated:- "Your impartiality in giving insertion to correct communications has induced me to forward you a few particulars respecting the interesting opposition at present existing in steam navigation with the Isle of Man.

The Mona's Isle arrived in Douglas a few minutes before one o'clock on Saturday, and the St. George not until nearly seven, being a difference of six hours in favour of the Manx boat.

This is certainly the most surprising feat ever performed in steam navigation, particularly when the hitherto unrivalled character of the St. George is taken into consideration, and also the tempestuous state of the weather during the passage.

Lieutenant Tudor, in charge of St. George, anchored in Douglas Bay but lost the vessel in the night when her cable parted and she went aground on the Conister Rock and broke up.

[16] Through the efforts of Sir William Hillary, founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the crew of the St. George were saved.

William Gill was renowned for his seamanship, and is of particular note, as he was the first person to chart a safe, navigable channel through the (then) treacherous River Mersey.