The 'Roebuck' had been on the Channel Islands route for 14 years when on 19 July 1911 it struck rocks off Fliquet Bay while on a routine voyage between Jersey and Guernsey. There was dense mist and distress flares were let off and the ship's lifeboats were launched. It was soon joined by the lifeboat and States tug Duke of Normandy from St Helier. Within an hour all the passengers were safely ashore. Once repaired, the 'Roebuck' returned to the Channel Islands route in 1912 and was then requisitioned by the Navy in 1914, and renamed HMS 'Roedean'. She sank a year later in 15 fathoms of water at Scapa Flow, after dragging her anchor.