She was employed by the Pacific Steam Navigation Company on their routes along the West coast of South America, from Valparaiso to Callao.

Victoria was one of the four sister ships (Panama, California and Mexico being the other three) ordered by the Pacific Steam Navigation Company in early 1900s to serve their South American routes.

Upon entering the service Victoria was put on England to South America route and departed for her maiden voyage on March 5, 1903 to Valparaiso.

At 12:35 a whistle was heard on the starboard side, prompting the captain to order engines full stop.

The ship, Victoria collided with, was 2,213 GRT Chilean steamer Don Matias, on a passage from Tocopilla for Lota with a cargo of copper ore. Don Matias foundered almost immediately after the collision, but her crew was saved in their entirety by Victoria and landed at Coronel.