The Alhambra was an iron steamer screw built in 1853 by Samuda Brothers at Cubitt Town, London. It was wrecked in a collision off Newcastle, near Nobbys Head, New South Wales, on 30 June 1888.

The Alhambra was named Cintra during its design. It was later renamed Braganza, which was finally changed to its current name shortly before the ship was launched on 31 May 1855. The name is derived from Al-Hambra, the Red Palace, an ancient fortress of the Moorish monarchs of Granada in southern Spain.

The Alhambra took its maiden voyage to Marseille on 7 July 1855. It entered service in Gibraltar on 18 August 1856, and in May the following year was reported as loading in London for Portland Bay.

On 18 August 1857, Alhambra sailed for Mauritius from the Port of Geelong. In July, the ship experienced machinery failure off Portuguese coast. It was towed from Lisbon to Blackwall for repairs. On 27 December 1860, the ship returned to Southampton/Lisbon service until it was sold to McMechan Blackwood and Co. on 1 July 1862. On 26 September, the Alhambra sailed from Southampton for Melbourne, and became a pioneer boat between Melbourne and New Zealand.

In April 1868, en route to New Zealand, one of the Alhambra's engines broke down, and she was compelled to return to port to have the broken cylinder replaced; Langland’s Foundry Company took only five weeks to cast the new 4-ton cylinder. In mid-January 1869, she was passing Kent Group when her screw shaft broke, and despite the difficult conditions, the captain succeeded in making land near Cape Howe. From there, she was taken in tow by the Dandenong, but was once again placed in danger when the towline parted while the ships were coming through The Rip. The Alhambra cleared the reef inside of Shortland Bluff, and with the weather becoming hazy, she anchored off the Swanspit light. At 6am, she was again taken in tow by the Dandenong, and conveyed to Williamstown.

In 1882, the Alhambra was sold to Nipper & See, of Sydney. In 1883, it was purchased by Samuel Marsden of Blayney, who had recently acquired a large plot of land in Kimberley and intended to use the steamer to deliver a shipment of sheep. However, the shipment was not fulfilled, and Marsden was forced to sell the Alhambra at a considerable loss.

On 19 May 1885, the Alhambra collided with the Newcastle lightship, carrying away the moorings. The outward bound steamer Balmain then ran into the Alhambra, smashing her stanchions and main rails, and doing other damage. The Alhambra was floated off safely, and the Balmain, despite losing her deckhouse, continued on to her destination.

On 7 July 1885, an 82-year-old seaman named Henry Johnson was thrown over the wheel of the Alhambra during a storm, suffering spinal injuries and paralysis of the lower extremities. On 7 December 1886, a labourer named John Van Rampan fell down the hold of the ship Alhambra, a depth of about 10 feet (3.05 m). He was admitted to the Sydney Hospital suffering from back injuries and shock.