The fine iron screw steamship, built by Mr. Laird for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, with engines by Messrs. Fawcett Preston, and Co., is now nearly ready for sea, having received nearly the whole of her machinery, and her other work being in a forward state. The Alma was originally named the Pera, and she is a sister ship to the Nubia, built for the same company and now employed in the Black Sea as a transport ship, where, from her size and power, (2,200 tons register and 450 horse-power) she is a valuable steamer. The experience gained by the Nubia will, it is believed, turn to good account in the Alma, and she is expected to be a considerable improvement on the former vessel. Already, we understand, many appointments have been made to this vessel. She has been placed under the command of Captain Evans, one of the senior commanders in the service, and, as at present expected, she will go to mail work, though it is within possibility she may be taken up by the Admiralty. We observed on board this ship what is now becoming common, the application of a small auxiliary steam engine for getting the anchor, discharging cargo, &c., a power which will eventually be largely and beneficially employed in ships and steamers.- Liverpool Albion, February 21.

SG & SGTL Vol 12 ; Page 103 ; 21 May 1855

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