SS Great Eastern

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

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

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

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

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

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.