The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 was the eventual demise of the tea clipper as the shorter route allowed larger cargo ships passage to China.

[1] The remaining clippers profited by serving the wool trade as the need for coal hindered steamships from reaching Australian ports.

[1] By the time of Cromdale's launch in 1891, ocean liners that could carry large numbers of passengers and amounts of cargo had entered the scene.

[4] The lifeboats were ordered lowered immediately due to the damage the ship had endured, but luck was on the side of the crew.

Cromdale was declared a total loss after she settled quickly, and was found to be laying in a position that was exposed to the elements.