The clipper South Australian met her fate on 14th February 1889 near Lundy in the Bristol Channel. She was built by William Pile of Sunderland in 1868 and was a 'composite' construction with an iron frame and wooden hull planking, of 1040 tons being 201ft long. The most famous surviving composite built clipper is the Cutty Sark.

The South Australian traded on the England-Australia run from the time of her launching until 1887 carrying cargo and passengers, many of whom were emigrants. In 1887 she was sold to William Woodside of Belfast and operated principally as a cargo vessel, making voyages to India and New Brunswick under the command of Captain James Arthurs.