Owing to the exporters of wool insisting that her bottom was foul, she was docked, with her cargo on board, in the Alfred Graving Dock the day before she sailed. Her bottom was found to be clean, but Captain Beckett took the opportunity to give her a coat of tallow, and leaving on the following day, 15th November, he caught the February wool sales without any difficulty and eased the minds of the anxious wool exporters. It was his last passage in her, however, for in 1875 Captain Warden took her out to Melbourne in 88 days from the Lizard, but he ran his easting down in 38° S. and did not give her a chance. Again she loaded wool and this time was given a coating of Peacock & Buchan’s patent before sailing. After this she went back to the Calcutta trade until 1881, when she left London under Captain McDonald for Canterbury, N.Z., and went on to Timaru and loaded wheat. She completed her loading, and on 13th May, 1882, was lying at anchor in the inner anchorage close to the _Ben Venue_, when it came on to blow with a big sea making. 8.30 a.m. on the 14th found the _Ben Venue_ with two anchors and the _City of Perth_ with three, riding out a furious gale. But the outlook was very bad especially for the little _Ben Venue_ which had a heavy list to starboard, being almost on her beam ends. Four hours later one of Ben Venue’s cables parted and she began to drag, and about 1 o’clock stranded in Caroline Bay. About the same time _City of Perth_ was also seen to be dragging her anchors and soon afterwards drifted ashore to the north of _Ben Venue_, but further seaward. Captain McDonald tried to send a boat ashore, but she capsized and the ship’s second mate and carpenter were both drowned and the mate had his leg broken. Meanwhile great rescue efforts were made from the shore, the lifeboat was launched, but she also capsized and six of her crew were drowned, including the harbour-master of Timaru. The gale had moderated sufficiently by the 19th to attempt towing the _City of Perth_ off, but without success. Her partner in misfortune, the beautiful little _Ben Venue_, had by this time become a total wreck, and the only gear salved, including some of her spars, was sold for £150.