The SS Great Eastern was an iron sailing steam ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built on the River Thames, England. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers around the world without refuelling. Brunel knew her affectionately as the “Great Babe”. He died in 1859 shortly after her ill-fated maiden voyage during which she was damaged by an explosion.
After repairs, she plied for several years as a passenger liner between Britain and America, before being converted to a cable-laying ship, with the first lasting transatlantic telegraph cable in 1865. Finishing her life as a floating music hall in Liverpool, she was broken up in 1889.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59)
The Last Victorian Leviathan Steam Ship
movenon said:
Interesting to look at the facts and the figures within the said time period and era of having built this ship got to admit someone must have known what they were doing beauty . Thank you for this share
Juancav said:
A floating marvel unfortunately missing,Thank you Jonie.
Barbara said:
Wow! Impressive ship! Great post Jonie!
Estelle said:
Interesting life this ship had. Seems it had a number of different “seasons” in its lifetime .. each one of use for it’s particular need.
Isn’t that what our lives are like, as we “make headway” in our lives ..
Different “seasons” for different “reasons” … ??
Tony said:
These are great images. My grandfather sailed on the Archibald Russell, one of the last tall ships to be build in England, and I have a love of old ships.
revivor said:
Brunel was a genius!!