In July 1906 the Socoa (a full rigged steel ship) struck some rocks near Cadgwith Cove, England, a moment when a wreck incident became a faraway casualty of a major event triggering worldwide headlines, the San Francisco earthquake of April 1906 – for she was laden with cement to help rebuild the city.

HMS Discovery was the consort ship of James Cook's third expedition to the Pacific Ocean in 1776–1780. It was originally a brig, and Cook had her changed to a full rigged ship. She was commanded by Charles Clerke, who had previously served on Cook's first two expeditions, and had a complement of 70 men. When Cook was killed, Clerke transferred to the expedition's flagship HMS Resolution and John Gore assumed command of Discovery. She returned to Britain under the command of Lieutenant James King, arriving back on 4 October 1780