Brunel's Steamships

The Great Western Steamship Company is formed to develop Brunel's transatlantic steamship plan.

Brunel proposes extending the Great Western transport system from Bristol to New York by steamship.

The wooden paddle steamship SS Great Western is launched at Bristol under Brunel's direction.

William Patterson's Bristol yard constructs Brunel's large wooden paddle steamship for the Great Western Steamship Company.

SS Great Western completes an early sea trial before beginning her first Atlantic service.

SS Great Western departs Bristol on her first Atlantic voyage to New York.

SS Great Western reaches New York and demonstrates the commercial practicality of regular steamship crossings.

Early plans for Brunel's second major steamship envisage a wooden paddle vessel initially called City of New York.

Construction begins on Brunel's iron-hulled transatlantic steamship SS Great Britain.

Brunel and the building committee recommend changing the new steamship from wood to iron construction.

Brunel orders SS Great Britain to be redesigned for screw propulsion instead of paddle wheels.

The steamship directors accept Brunel's recommendation and approve converting the vessel to screw propulsion.

Prince Albert attends the public launch of SS Great Britain in Bristol's Floating Harbour.

SS Great Britain is launched as the largest ship in the world and a pioneering iron screw steamship.

SS Great Britain is equipped with a six-masted schooner rig designed to reduce the sailing manpower required.

SS Great Britain is completed for service but remains delayed by limitations in Bristol Harbour.

SS Great Britain finally leaves Bristol Floating Harbour after modifications are made to the harbour locks.

SS Great Britain departs Liverpool for New York on her first transatlantic voyage.

SS Great Britain is completed and prepared for transatlantic passenger service.

SS Great Britain reaches New York after becoming the first iron steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

SS Great Britain runs aground in Dundrum Bay during a transatlantic voyage.

SS Great Britain completes two transatlantic round trips during her second season of passenger service.

SS Great Britain is refloated after remaining stranded in Dundrum Bay for nearly a year.

Brunel develops a huge steamship intended to reach distant destinations without repeatedly stopping to take on coal.

Brunel develops the concept of an exceptionally large steamship able to reach distant destinations without refuelling.

The Great Eastern is designed with both paddle wheels and a screw propeller driven by separate machinery.

Brunel's Great Eastern design uses a double iron hull to provide exceptional structural strength and internal subdivision.

The keel of SS Great Eastern is laid at John Scott Russell's shipyard in Millwall.

Because of the ship's enormous length and the narrow Thames, Brunel plans to launch Great Eastern sideways.

The giant steamship is designed with five funnels serving its extensive steam machinery.

Work on SS Great Eastern stops temporarily after John Scott Russell's shipbuilding business becomes bankrupt.

Work continues after disruption caused by John Scott Russell's financial difficulties and bankruptcy.

The first attempt to launch SS Great Eastern sideways ends in failure and the death of a worker.

Robert Howlett photographs Brunel standing before the launching chains of SS Great Eastern.

Brunel prepares heavy chains and hydraulic equipment for the difficult sideways launch of the enormous ship.

SS Great Eastern is finally floated after repeated and costly launching attempts.

Brunel suffers a severe stroke shortly before the first sea trials of SS Great Eastern.