RMS Persia
Cunard's Persia of 1856 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | Persia |
| Namesake | Persia |
| Owner | Cunard Line |
| Route | Atlantic crossing. |
| Builder | Robert Napier and Sons, Glasgow |
| Launched | 25 July 1855 |
| Maiden voyage | 26 January 1856 |
| Fate | Taken out of service 1868, scrapped 1872 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Steamship |
| Tonnage | 3,414 GRT |
| Length | 398 ft (121 m) |
| Beam | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Installed power | 1 × 2-cylinder side-lever steam engine with 100 inch bore and 10 ft stroke |
| Sail plan | 2 masts |
| Capacity | Approximately 250 saloon and 50 second class passengers |
Persia was a British passenger liner operated by the Cunard Line that won the Blue Riband in 1856 for the fastest westbound transatlantic voyage. She was the first Atlantic record breaker constructed of iron and was the largest ship in the world at the time of her launch. However, the inefficiencies of paddle wheel propulsion rendered Persia obsolete and she was taken out of service in 1868 after only twelve years. Attempts to convert Persia to sail were unsuccessful and the former pride of the British merchant marine was scrapped in 1872.