Historical Context
Designed by Britain's greatest industrial engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain was launched in 1843 as the first iron ship to service a transatlantic route.
When built the SS Great Britain was the largest and the longest passenger ship at 322 ft (98m) in service. She had both masts for sail and a 2 cylinder engine. She was launched from the Bristol dry dock and it is there she returned 127 years later in 1970, where she has been restored and turned into a museum.
Painting Info
Artist: Joseph Walter
Location painted: Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Source: SS Great Britain
Related Events
- 1843-07-19 The steamship SS Great Britain is launched, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is the first ocean-going craft with an iron hull or screw propeller and the largest vessel afloat in the world
Related Famous People
Engineer
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
