PS Avalon was an iron paddle passenger vessel built on the River Thames for the Great Eastern Railway in 1864 for their ferry services from Harwich to Rotterdam and Antwerp.

Before the end of that year she was bought by British interests to assist with the commissioning of the Confederate iron-clad CSS Stonewall, and renamed City of Richmond.

Each engine is fitted with 2 air-pumps, and a separate condenser, so that they are perfectly independent one of the other; and in the event of any break down in the machinery of one, the power of the other will remain intact, and be sufficient to propel the vessel.

[10] In December 1864 shipowner Edwin Golbourne of Tranmere, Cheshire, acquired Avalon on behalf of the Crenshaw Company, a Confederate blockade running firm, and renamed her City of Richmond.

[11][12] The Confederacy's chief purchasing agent, James Bulloch hired the ship to covertly supply the iron-clad CSS Stonewall after acquisition in Denmark, then with the cover-name Olinde.

[20] In early January 1866 concern was reported that Agnes Arkle was overdue at Bahia, six days out from Rio de Janeiro, carrying 2 million reís in Government notes.

On 11 July 1866, Avalon run down and sank the stone-dredging boat Royal William, without loss of life, when entering Harwich from Rotterdam.

[24] In 1876 Avalon's engine was given new cylinders, raising its power to 240 NHP, and her boilers were renewed, at the Victoria Graving Dock Company, London, returning to service on 5 September.

[27] Fire broke out, probably in the galley, on Avalon on 18 September 1881 while berthed at Rotterdam, causing serious damage to the bridge, paddle wheels, boats and some cargo before being extinguished;[28] she was later repaired and returned to service.

[30][31] In 1900 she was sold to the Channel Dry Docks, Shipbuilding & Engineering Company of Passage West, near Cork, Ireland, who offered her for sale in May 1901 after repairs, and then by auction in November.