HMS Arab was an Arab-class composite gunvessel built for the Royal Navy in 1874.

Designed by Nathaniel Barnaby, the Royal Navy's Chief Constructor, Arab was ordered from the Govan yard of Robert Napier and Sons in 1873 and laid down the same year as yard number 333.

[1] This "composite" construction was both cheap and easy to repair and allowed the wooden planking to be coppered, reducing marine growth.

A single screw was provided, which could be hoisted clear of the water to improve the ship's hull lines when sailing.

[3][4] Arab was ordered to return home in 1879, receiving a revised armament at about that time.