Wiltshire Earthworks Begin
Work on the line toward Chippenham involved cuttings embankments and structures across the Wiltshire landscape.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Isambard Kingdom Brunel Biography and Timeline — Page 4
Follow Isambard Kingdom Brunel through 477 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
477Distinct records
4 of 12Page
1837–1838Years on this page
1837
Clifton West Abutment Work Progresses
Construction teams developed the masonry support at Leigh Woods for the planned suspended bridge deck.
Great Western Launch At Bristol Celebrated
Brunel's large paddle steamship entered the water before machinery fitting and sea trials were completed.
Hungerford Bridge Project Advanced
Plans progressed for a suspension bridge to connect the north bank of the Thames with the south bank near Hungerford Market.
Paddington Temporary Station Prepared
Facilities were built to allow the Great Western Railway to start passenger services before a permanent terminus existed.
New Steamer Sets Size Benchmark
Great Western's exceptionally large dimensions made her one of the most ambitious merchant steamships of her time.
Steamship Moves For Engine Installation
After launching at Bristol, Great Western travelled to London for fitting out with her propulsion machinery.
Side Lever Engines Installed In London
Great Western received side lever steam engines supplied by the engineering firm Maudslay Sons and Field.
London Engineers Equip Steam Boilers
The London fitting out supplied the large boilers necessary to sustain Great Western's paddle wheel propulsion.
Ocean Steamer Receives Four Masts
Great Western carried a four masted auxiliary sailing arrangement alongside her steam machinery.
Passenger Cabins Planned For Ocean Crossing
The vessel's accommodation was arranged for paying cabin passengers and accompanying servants on the Bristol to New York route.
Western Abutment Contractor Fails
The company undertaking work on the Leigh Woods abutment encounters financial failure, disrupting renewed construction on Brunel's Clifton suspension bridge.
1838
Great Western Sea Trial Completed
SS Great Western completes an early sea trial before beginning her first Atlantic service.
Brunel Injured during Great Western Fire
Brunel is injured after falling about twenty feet during the confusion surrounding the Great Western engine-room fire.
Great Western Engine-Room Fire Contained
An engine-room fire breaks out as Great Western prepares for her maiden Atlantic voyage but is extinguished with limited ship damage.
SS Great Western
SS Great Western departs Bristol on her first Atlantic voyage to New York.
SS Great Western
SS Great Western reaches New York and demonstrates the commercial practicality of regular steamship crossings.
Great Western Railway
The first public section of the Great Western Railway opens between Paddington and Maidenhead.
Paddington Station
The first temporary Great Western Railway terminus at Paddington opens for services between London and Maidenhead.
Box Tunnel
Work begins on Box Tunnel through Box Hill for the Great Western Railway.
Maidenhead Railway Bridge
Construction of Brunel's low-arched brick railway bridge across the Thames is completed.
Brunel GWR Overbridge
The structure reflects Brunel's broad-gauge railway design.
Dumb Bell Bridge
Designs the sharply skewed Dumb Bell Bridge beneath the Great Western Railway.
Early Broad-Gauge Bridge
The bridge preserves Brunel's early broad-gauge engineering approach.
Early Brunel Iron Bridge
The work is among Brunel's earliest iron bridge designs.
Early GWR Broad-Gauge Operations Begin
The first working section of the Great Western Railway demonstrates Brunel's broad-gauge track and early bridge designs.
Early GWR Overbridge
The bridge forms part of Brunel's first London-to-Maidenhead contracts.
Great Britain Project Begins as City of New York
Early plans for Brunel's second major steamship envisage a wooden paddle vessel initially called City of New York.
Great Western Maiden Voyage Passenger Loss
Many booked passengers cancel after the fire, leaving only a small number aboard when Great Western departs for New York.
Leigh Road Bridge
Completes the Leigh Road overbridge on the early Great Western Railway.
Middlegreen Road Bridge
Completes an early Great Western Railway overbridge at Middlegreen Road.
Paddington Canal Iron Bridge
Designs an early iron bridge across the Paddington Arm of the canal.
St Mary's Road Bridge
Completes the St Mary's Road bridge on the Great Western Railway.
Taplow Skew Bridge
Solves a difficult road crossing with an ingenious skew arch.
Cumberland Lock Enlargement Considered
Brunel developed proposals to improve harbour entrances as increasing steamship dimensions challenged the original locks.
Bath Valley Railway Construction Advances
Contractors worked on embankments bridges and cuttings needed to carry broad gauge trains through the Avon valley.
Chippenham Station Site Selected
The Great Western route incorporated a station site to serve Chippenham and surrounding communities.
Clifton Eastern Tower Masonry Advances
Contractors continued the Clifton side tower and its supporting masonry above the Avon Gorge.
Great Western Engine Room Fire Investigated
A fire aboard the vessel shortly before its maiden Atlantic voyage delayed preparations and injured Brunel.
Hungerford River Span Surveyed
Brunel assessed the Thames crossing and the foundation requirements for the proposed suspension structure.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.