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Royal Mail Steam Ship Arabia (RMS Arabia) was an ocean liner operated by Cunard. It was the last wooden-hulled ship built for the Cunard Line, built in 1852 in Greenock, Scotland.[3] On January 1, 1853,[4] it departed on its maiden voyage with 60 passengers and 1,200 tons of coal. RMS Arabia was a luxurious ship during its time, with the saloon having a stained glass dome and crimson velvet sofas, and steam heating throughout.[5][6] She was reported to be the first ocean liner with a separate children's nursery and playroom.[5][7]
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arabia |
| Owner | Cunard Line |
| Operator | Cunard Line |
| Port of registry | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Route | Liverpool to New York |
| Laid down | 1852[1] |
| Launched | 21 June 1852[1] |
| Completed | 1852[1] |
| Maiden voyage | 1 January 1853[1] |
| In service | 1853 |
| Fate | Sold 1865 and converted to sail, scrapped in 1867.[2] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle steamer |
| Tonnage | 2,393 GRT, 1,359 NRT |
| Length | 285 feet (87 m)[1] |
| Beam | 41 ft (12 m)[1] |
| Depth | 27.5 feet (8.4 m) |
| Installed power | 9 feet (2.7 m) stroke engine with 103 inches (260 cm) diameter cylinder[1] |
| Propulsion | 2× 36 feet (11 m) paddle wheels[1] |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)[1] |
| Notes | Last wooden-hulled Cunard ship |
Arabia was designed with a slim bow, and powerful engines in an attempt to win the Blue Riband, of which she never did. The combination of her narrow bow, wooden hull and powerful engines made her incredibly fast in smooth water, though greatly hampered in storms. Its appearance was near identical to the SS La Plata. [8]
It was said the vibrations that Arabia suffered were so intense, that "her machinery shook her to pieces".[8] This is probably why the RMS Persia of 1855 was built of iron, as opposed to the RMS Arabia that was built of wood.
In August 1856, after departing Boston en route to Liverpool, the Arabia ran aground on Blonde Rock and was damaged. [9] In 1858 en route to New York, the ship collided with the Cunarder Europa with minor damage, and continued its voyage. During the Crimean War, the Arabia was used as a transport ship.[10] Arabia was sold in 1865 to Robert Duncan and in 1866 to the Anglo-Egyptian Navigation Company of London, and later scrapped in May 1867.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "SS Arabia (2), Cunard Line". Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Wills, Elspeth (2010). The Fleet 1840–2010. London: Cunard. ISBN 978-0-9542451-8-4.
- ^ "Transatlantic Mail: The Cunard Line" (PDF). Siegel Auctions. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Steam Workshop::RMS Arabia (1853-1867)". steamcommunity.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ a b Robins, Nick (2012). The Coming of the Comet: the Rise and Fall of the Paddle Steamer. Barnsley: Seaforth Publ. p. 17. ISBN 978-1848321342. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "New Ocean Steam-ship Arabia". Liverpool Standard. No. 1572. 21 December 1852. p. 8. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Trial of the Steam-ship Arabia". Morning Post. No. 24657. London. 31 December 1852. p. 6. Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Arabia (2), Cunard Line". www.norwayheritage.com. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ Nautical Magazine: A Magazine for Those Interested in Ships and the Sea. Brown, Son & Ferguson. 1883.
- ^ "The Royal Mail Steam Ship Arabia 2900 Tons, 900 Horse Power... Starting for New York with Mails, River Mersey | Royal Museums Greenwich". www.rmg.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ Digital records of Arabia https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=21942
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