Launch of SS Great Britain

Background. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company's transatlantic service between Bristol and New York City, SS Great Britain was the first large ocean-going ship to combine an iron hull with a screw propeller. Construction spanned six years, from 1839 to 1845, and the ship was launched in 1843, before completion in 1845. When completed she measured 322 feet in length with a 3,400-ton displacement, more than 100 feet longer and 1,000 tons larger than any ship previously built.

Launch Ceremony. The launching, or more accurately the float-out, took place on 19 July 1843. It had already been decided that the christening would be performed by Clarissa, wife of Philip John Miles and mother of Bristol's MP Philip William Skinner Miles, a director of the company. A source also records that the completed ship was launched in Bristol by Prince Albert on that date, though the vessel was subsequently trapped in the harbour and only finally floated out in December 1844.

Harbour Modifications. The ship was trapped in the harbour for over a year due to lock issues. The Board of Trade intervened to allow modifications, which began in late 1844. Brunel had previously extended the south lock in 1842, requiring a new bridge for access.