Royal Edward was an iron-hulled full-rigged ship, launched in March 1864 by Westwood, Baillie & Company at their London Yard ironworks.

[2] The ship's maiden voyage was from England to Australia, sailing from London in May 1864, and arriving at Sydney on 2 September.

She returned to London with a large cargo of over 4200 bales of wool as well as tallow, gum, copper ore, hides and horns.

[3] Captain Robert S. M'Cleave sailed Royal Edward from Sharpness on 20 April 1886 with a full cargo of bagged salt for Melbourne.

[4][5] A subsequent formal inquiry found that Royal Edward had been sound when she left England, and not overloaded.