Originally one of the fastest vessels in her class - she was what was termed a windjammer - alterations to increase her tonnage by lengthening her hull by 9 metres in 1877 completely spoiled her sailing powers and she was never as fast again. After these changes she measured 247.5 feet, and displaced 1478 tons.

 

On 3rd October 1896 the British Peer sailed from London with a general cargo, which included liquor, cork, candles, gunpowder, pianos, baths and building materials for the Cape.

 

On 8th December the ship passed Dassen Island and had Table Mountain in sight. The sky was clear, the sea calm and the wind light. At about 8 pm all but those on watch went below and turned in for the night.  At 11pm those below were woken by the shock of an impact and were immediately called onto the deck by the second Mate, Herbert Balfour, to find that the vessel had struck a reef. She sank rapidly by the bows as the crew battled to launch the ship's life boats.

 

The wreck of the British Peer itself still lies in quiet obscurity in about nine metres of water off the rocky point known to local fishermen Kabeljoubank.