Under good conditions, the ship could reach a speed of . Her best 24-hour runs were 392 nm in 1908 on her voyage to Japan and 426 nm in 1904 in the South Pacific. "Preussen" was manned by a crew of 45, which was supported by two steam engines powering the pumps, the rudder steering engine, the loading gear, and winches. English seamen estimate her the fastest sailing ship after the clipper era, even faster than her fleet sister "Potosí". Only a few clippers were faster than "Preussen", and they had considerably less cargo capacity.