Its trade was greatly reduced, partly by the diminished fur production and partly by the illicit traffic of independent vessels along the coast.

Several ships were lost, one in 1865, with a valuable cargo of furs.

In 1866 the Company's stock, from a nominal value of 150, had fallen to about 80, and the Company was even obliged to accept an annual subsidy of 200,000 roubles from the Government.

So late as February, 1867, it received a loan of 1,000,000 roubles from the Imperial Bank.

Probably a few years more would have seen the total extinction of the Company, and the reversion of all its rights and expenses to the Crown.
In 1866 the fleet of the Russian-American Company comprised two sea steamers, six ships, two brigs, one schooner, and several smaller craft for coasting and inland service.