In November of 1890 the three masted iron ship Marlborough departed Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand with a cargo of meat destine for London. The 1,191 ton ship never arrived. She was last seen on January 20, 1891 in the area of Cape Horn. Icebergs were reported in the area and it is thought that she may have hit one. The normal crew of the Marlborough was 30, it is not known how many were on board at the time of her loss.