During a series of races off Sandy Hook, New Jersey, against three other yachts in September 1893, she proved to be fast but too poor at minding her helm to race competitively, and another yacht was selected to represent the United States in defense of America's Cup.

In 1894, the syndicate sold her to Lamont G. Burnham, Esq., of Boston, who had her converted to steam propulsion; she served as his private yacht.

In 1913, she was sold by Royall to Hugh C. Jones of Beaufort, North Carolina; where she operated as a yacht initially then fishing vessel.

On 30 June 1917[4] or in July 1917,[5] the U.S. Navy acquired her under a free lease from Beaufort Fish Scrap and Oil for use as a section patrol boat during World War I.

Assigned to the 5th Naval District, Pilgrim patrolled the North Carolina coast for the rest of World War I, operating in Pamlico Sound and Onslow Bay as far south as the New River.