SS Arabia (1852)
History
NameArabia
OwnerCunard Line
OperatorCunard Line
Port of registryGlasgow, Scotland
RouteLiverpool to New York
Laid down1852[1]
Launched21 June 1852[1]
Completed1852[1]
Maiden voyage1 January 1853[1]
In service1853
FateSold 1865 and converted to sail, scrapped in 1867.[2]
General characteristics
TypePaddle steamer
Tonnage2,393 GRT, 1,359 NRT
Length285 feet (87 m)[1]
Beam41 ft (12 m)[1]
Depth27.5 feet (8.4 m)
Installed power9 feet (2.7 m) stroke engine with 103 inches (260 cm) diameter cylinder[1]
Propulsion2× 36 feet (11 m) paddle wheels[1]
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)[1]
NotesLast wooden-hulled Cunard ship

RMS Arabia was an ocean liner operated by Cunard. She was the last wooden-hulled ship built for the Cunard Line. On January 1, 1853, she departed on her maiden voyage with 60 passengers and 1,200 tons of coal. She was a luxurious ship for her time, with the saloon having a stained glass dome, and crimson velvet sofas.

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.

It was said the vibrations that Arabia suffered were so intense, that "her machinery shook her to pieces". This likely is why the RMS Persia of 1855 was built of iron, opposed to the wood of Arabia.

In August 1856. after departing Boston en route to Liverpool, the Arabia ran aground on Blonde Rock and was damaged. [3] In 1858 enroute to New York, she collided with the Cunarder 'Europa' with minor damage, and continued her voyage. She was sold in 1865 to Robert Duncan, sold in 1866 to the Anglo-Egyptian Navigation Company of London, and scrapped in May, 1867.[4]

Steam engines of the Arabia

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "SS Arabia (2), Cunard Line". Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  2. Wills, Elspeth (2010). The Fleet 1840–2010. London: Cunard. ISBN 978-0-9542451-8-4.
  3. https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Nautical_Magazine/GCjrBWeHXmUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22arabia%22+%22breadth%22+%22steam+ship%22&pg=PA600&printsec=frontcover
  4. Digital records of Arabia https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=21942



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