Clifton Ironwork Funding Shortfall
Construction stalls because the bridge company lacks the funds needed to complete the chains and roadway.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Isambard Kingdom Brunel Biography and Timeline — Page 8
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
8 of 12Page
1843–1846Years on this page
1843
Great Britain Six-Masted Rig Completed
SS Great Britain is equipped with a six-masted schooner rig designed to reduce the sailing manpower required.
South Devon Railway Route Survey Reused
Earlier survey work by Brunel helps shape plans for extending broad-gauge railway communication from Exeter toward Plymouth.
Wrought Iron Caisson Lock Designed
Brunel developed a large wrought iron caisson arrangement to increase the usable length of the improved entrance lock.
Bath Railway Operations Consolidate
The Bath section became part of the established London to Bristol route serving passengers and freight.
Clifton Bridge Funds Run Short
Construction slowed dramatically when available capital proved insufficient to complete the deck and ironwork.
Hungerford Bridge Suspension Chains Assembled
Workers installed or prepared the massive iron links required to suspend the bridge across the river.
Remaining Ironwork Needs Additional Finance
With the masonry largely finished, the Clifton bridge project still requires roughly thirty thousand pounds for remaining ironwork, a shortfall that prevents completion of the crossing.
1844
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain is completed for service but remains delayed by limitations in Bristol Harbour.
South Devon Railway Act Secured
Parliament authorises the South Devon Railway, enabling Brunel's route from Exeter toward Plymouth to proceed.
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain finally leaves Bristol Floating Harbour after modifications are made to the harbour locks.
Atmospheric Traction Recommended to South Devon
Brunel recommends atmospheric propulsion for the South Devon Railway, expecting savings and greater freedom in gradients and curves.
Brunel Lock Chamber Reconfigured
The rebuilt southern entrance was planned to accommodate larger steamships than the earlier Bristol dock entrance.
Hungerford Bridge Deck Construction Advances
Construction progressed on the walkway suspended from the large iron chains over the Thames.
1845
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain departs Liverpool for New York on her first transatlantic voyage.
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain is completed and prepared for transatlantic passenger service.
Great Britain First New York Arrival
The ship designed by Brunel reached New York on its inaugural Atlantic passage after departing Liverpool in July.
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain reaches New York after becoming the first iron steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Great Britain First Westbound Return
The new screw steamship departed New York for Liverpool on its first homeward passenger voyage.
First Atlantic Return Reaches Liverpool
Great Britain completed its inaugural return crossing and arrived in Liverpool after sailing from New York.
Second New York Departure Begins
Great Britain began another westbound service when it left Liverpool for New York in late September.
Second Atlantic Arrival Recorded
Great Britain reached New York on its second westbound commercial voyage of the year.
Autumn Return Crossing Departs
The steamship sailed from New York for Liverpool on a further return crossing with a small passenger complement.
Autumn Atlantic Crossing Ends
Great Britain arrived back at Liverpool after the late October departure from New York.
Institution of Civil Engineers
Brunel is elected to the council of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Atmospheric Pumping Machinery Contracted
Contracts are placed for stationary engines and equipment needed to operate Brunel's atmospheric railway system.
Hungerford Bridge Completed
Its chains are later reused to complete the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Hungerford Suspension Bridge
Completes the Hungerford Suspension Bridge across the Thames.
Single Leaf Lock Closure Developed
Brunel's entrance lock adopted an innovative single leaf caisson closure that maximised usable chamber dimensions.
Avon Corridor Railway Capacity Increases
Additional operations made the Avon valley an important through corridor in the Great Western system.
Clifton Bridge Remains Unfinished
The bridge's standing towers showed the project's progress but the span still lacked its suspended roadway.
Hungerford Thames Footbridge Opens
Brunel's suspension bridge opened for pedestrians between Hungerford Market and the southern Thames bank.
Hungerford Bridge Pedestrian Toll Introduced
Users of the new crossing paid tolls to travel across Brunel's suspended Thames walkway.
Hungerford Bridge South Bank Access Established
The bridge improved pedestrian access across the Thames between the market district and the south bank.
Return Crossing Loses Propeller Blades
SS Great Britain lost propeller blades during her first homeward Atlantic passage and relied on sail power to return to Liverpool.
1846
May Atlantic Sailing Commences
Great Britain sailed west from Liverpool in May on another scheduled crossing to New York.
Exeter-Teignmouth Steam Service Opens
The first South Devon section opens with conventional locomotives while the atmospheric equipment is still being installed.
May Crossing Ends In New York
Great Britain arrived at New York after its spring voyage from Liverpool.
June Homeward Passage Starts
The ship embarked on a June homeward crossing from New York to Liverpool.
June Return Reaches Liverpool
Great Britain completed its June Atlantic return and reached Liverpool.
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.