Constructed of iron, clipper stem, three funnels, four masts, single screw and a speed of 16 knots. There was accommodation for 271-1st, 250-2nd and 810-3rd class passengers. She was considered by many to be the most beautiful steamer ever built.

Old tradecard showing the S/S City of Rome, on this picture she is rigged as a four-masted bark
 

On this picture showing with her sails up. Both above pictures the ships are seen with Inman Line colros on funnels (black, white band and black top).
 

City of Rome with funnels painted black for Anchor Line service.
This card was issued by the agent and has an announcement on the reverse side
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From "The Atlantic Ferry" by A. J. MAGINNIS (p.49):
..the City of Rome was launched at Barrow on June 14th, 1881, and sailed on her first voyage from Liverpool, October 13th, 1881. This graceful vessel was the subject of much comment when being built, but the great expectations were, however, not realized. The construction of the hull, beyond being exceptionally strong, calls for no comment. She was built of iron throughout, and was 560 feet long, 52 1/4 feet broad, and 37 feet deep, and of 8144 tons; three funnels were for the first time fitted, which being uniformly spaced with four masts, gave the vessel a noble appearance in conjunction with the graceful bow and general outline of the hull. For the machinery, which was also by the Barrow Company, the three-crank engine was adopted, but it differed from the other types in the fact that there were six cylinders, three high-pressure, each 46 inches, and three low-pressure, each 86 inches diameter, fitted tandem fashion, with a stroke of 6 feet. A great departure was made in the working of the slide-valves by means of spur-wheels, which geared the weigh-shaft (on which the eccentrics were, fitted) with the crank-shaft, and thus enabled the valves to be fitted at the back of the cylinders. Hollow shafting was also fitted throughout, except for the propeller length. The boilers, which were of the usual type in iron, carrying 90 Ibs. pressure, were eight in number, with forty-eight furnaces' placed two and two in fore and aft line, which enabled a water-tight bulkhead to be fitted fore and aft on each side, so as to form the coal bunkers; this excellent arrangement was, however, altogether altered, as well as other parts of the machinery, after she was, returned to the builders, with a view of attaining a speed more in accordance with the newer Atlantic vessels. After completion of these alterations, she was again put in the Express Service, under the auspices of the Anchor Line, in 1884, where she remained until 1891.

Photograph of the S/S City of Rome, note that the rig has been altered, yards having been removed. This picture shows her rigged as a four-masted schooner

Capt. R. D. Munroe, Commodore of the Anchor Line fleet