Great Eastern Combined Paddle and Screw Propulsion
The Great Eastern is designed with both paddle wheels and a screw propeller driven by separate machinery.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1853 in Great Britain — Page 2
Explore 70 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1853.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1853
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Great Eastern Double Hull Specified
The vessel's structural scheme used a cellular double iron hull to increase strength and resistance to damage.
Great Eastern Double-Hull Principle Adopted
Brunel's Great Eastern design uses a double iron hull to provide exceptional structural strength and internal subdivision.
Great Eastern Twin Propulsion Designed
Brunel specified both side paddle wheels and a screw propeller to power his exceptionally large iron steamship.
Great Western Tropical Mail Work Continues
The paddle steamer remained in long distance service beyond its original Bristol to New York mission.
Income Tax
100 is "the dividing line...between the educated and the labouring part of the community" and therefore the income tax payers and the electorate will be the same people, who will then vote to cut Government expenditure.
Income Tax
123 duties are abolished and 133 duties are reduced, income tax had legally expired but Gladstone proposed to extend it for seven years to fund tariff reductions
Income Tax
Increases bonds, raises loans & doubles income tax to 1s 2d to pay for the Crimean war.
Income Tax
Increases the number of people eligible to pay income tax by lowering the threshold from pounds 150 to pounds 100, the more people who paid income tax, Gladstone believes, the more the public will pressure the Government into abolishing it & Gladstone argues that pounds
Legislation
Leader of the reforms for factory legislation, Factory Acts
Legislation
The Penal Servitude Act increases prison sentences
Lewis Joins Editorial Leadership
George Cornewall Lewis became editor during the mid Victorian period, when the Review continued to publish political and historical essays.
Long Distance Steam Sailing Demonstrated
Great Britain continued Australian passenger service by combining engine power with sail on lengthy ocean routes.
Medal
Awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for Stamford
Paddington Iron Roof Structure Assembled
The new station's broad train shed incorporated extensive wrought iron supports and glazed roof areas.
Paddington Rebuilding Scheme Approved
The company authorised construction of the permanent railway station designed by Brunel and Wyatt.
Paddington Station
Brunel designs the permanent station with architectural detailing undertaken by Matthew Digby Wyatt.
Postmaster General
Appointed Post Master General
Queen Victoria Receives Chloroform
John Snow administered chloroform to Queen Victoria during the birth of Prince Leopold, increasing public acceptance.
Reform of Civil Service
The Trevelyn-Northcote report recommends a competitive appointment system. Gladstone sets up a civil service commission & public examinations for officials
Reform of Prisons
The Penal Servitude Act increases prison sentences
Reform of Workplace Conditions
Leader of the reforms for factory legislation, Factory Acts
Royal Albert Bridge
Brunel finalises the distinctive lenticular truss design for the railway bridge across the River Tamar.
Ship Receives Revised Square Rig
An Australian service refit altered SS Great Britain to three square rigged masts to improve economical ocean sailing.
South Wales Railway Network Integration
Brunel's broad-gauge engineering links major South Wales industrial routes with the wider Great Western system.
Two Blade Propeller Installed During Refit
A refit of SS Great Britain after her first voyage to Australia included installation of a two blade screw propeller and changes to her sailing rig.
Unused Clifton Ironwork Redirected To Saltash
Iron chains originally acquired for the unfinished Clifton project are sold and subsequently used in Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash after funding for Clifton collapses.
Vienna Note
Supports diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis while resisting Russian claims over Ottoman Christian subjects.
Villette
Publication of "Villette"
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.