Persia
1856
(Navis NM-920V)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 3,300 tons
- Dimensions: 390 x 45 x 31 ft.
- Machinery: Napier two-cylinder side-lever steam engine, two side paddle wheels, 3600 ihp = 13 knots
- Passengers: 250 (200 first class, 50 second class)
- Crew: 440
- Built: Robert Napier & Sons Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland
- Launched: 3 Jul 1855
- Service: First iron-hulled ship built for Cunard Line. Largest vessel in the world at time. For most of her career she sailed under Capt Lott, who made over 300 crossings in her. Maiden voyage Liverpool to New York departed 26 Jan 1856. Struck an iceberg but made New York under sail power. Captured the Blue Riband of the Atlantic in Apr 1856 for fastest westbound crossing at 13.11 knots, later improved on several times. Set record in easterly direction on return voyage in May 1856. Held Blue Riband until 1863 when she lost it to her near sister (and last Cunard paddle steamer) Scotia. Last transatlantic crossing in 1867. Sold to MacArthur & Wilson, Glasgow in 1868; engines removed but planned refit as sailing ship not implemented. Laid up until scrapping on the Thames in 1872.
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