She was one of three colliers (the others were Golden Grove and Fishburn) owned by George and William Leighton, coal shippers of Sunderland, that the British government contracted to carry stores and provisions to Australia.

Borrowdale was one of 11 vessels that made up the First Fleet of settlers to Botany Bay, departing Britain in 1787.

[4] She first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1786 with [Hobson] Reed, master, Leighton, owner, and trade London-Botany Bay.

Along with most other ships of the First Fleet, Borrowdale sailed on to Port Jackson arriving 26 January 1788, after the colonists found Botany Bay unsuitable for settlement.

On 31 October 1789 Borrowdale sank off Great Yarmouth, taking Reed and all but one man of his crew with her.