George Roper was a four-masted iron barque that was built for service between England and Australia, launching from Liverpool on 10 February 1883.

On its maiden voyage, it carried 3,842 tons of cargo, including railway track for the Victorian government, liquor, chemicals, drapery, and dynamite.

[4] On completion the ship was registered at Liverpool as George Roper, and allocated Official Number 87813 and signal letters HKLR as identifiers.

[3] The ship left Liverpool for Port Melbourne on its maiden voyage on 11 April 1883, on Gracie, Beazley and Company's "Australasian Line".

[2] In the investigation of the accident, Pilot Gifford (or Gafford) of the Williams was accused of negligence for not bringing the George Roper back to safer water when the fog came in.