'Arabia' was the last wooden Cunarder to be built. Later Cunard's ships were of iron. She used a large amount of coal. During the Crimean War she served as a transport. In 1864 it was decided that she could not be made to pay and she was sold for conversion into a sailing ship. (See "Mail and Passenger Steamships of the XIXth Century", H. Parker and F.C. Bowen, p13)

Inscribed: "The Royal Mail Steamship Arabia 2,900 tons, 900 horse power. Captain C.H.E. Judkins. Starting for New York with the mails, River Mersey. To the British and North American Royal Mail Steamship Company, this print is most respectfully dedicated by their very obedient Servant Samuel Walters."

Hand-coloured.