Following the end of the summer navigation of 1908, "Wacousta" left Wabana for Philadelphia with a cargo of iron ore on December 12 arriving there on December 18. From Philadelphia she continued on to New York City, eventually returning to Philadelphia on December 28. Soon after, news about a devastating earthquake in Southern Italy started to appear, and the vessel was chartered to transport necessary supplies. "Wacousta" left Philadelphia on January 8, 1909 arriving at Torre Annunziata three weeks later. She also went aground upon leaving Philadelphia, but after inspection found no damage, she continued uninterrupted to her destination. The ship spent two weeks in Italy before proceeding back to North Sydney via Rotterdam and Glasgow. Upon return, "Wacousta" resumed her Canadian route along the St. Lawrence river.