SS Great Britain was the first ocean-going ship to have an iron hull and a screw propeller and, when launched in 1843, was the largest vessel afloat. She originally carried 120 first-class passengers (26 of whom were in single cabins), 132 second-class passengers and 130 officers and crew but, when an extra deck was added, it increased the number of passengers to 730.
It is now an award-winning visitor attraction and museum in Bristol Harbour.
The SS Great Britain was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Thomas Guppy, Christopher Claxton and William Patterson for the Great Western Steamship Company and built in a specially adapted dry dock at Bristol.
Dimensions
- Length: 322 ft (98.15 m)
- Beam (width): 50 ft 6 in (15.39 m)
- Height (main deck to keel): 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m)
- Weight unladen: 1930 long tons (2161 short tons, 1961 tonnes)
- Displacement: 3018 long tons (3380 short tons, 3066 tonnes)
Engine
- Actual Rated Horse Power: 1,000 H.P
- Total weight: 340 tons
- Cylinders: 4 x inverted 'V' (88" diameter)
- Stroke: 6'0"
- RPM: Max. 20 RPM
- Main Crankshaft: 17' long and 28" diameter
Propellor
- Diameter: 15'6"
- Weight: 77 cwts
- RPM: 55 RPM
Incidental data
- Fuel capacity: 1,100 tons of coal
- Water capacity: 200 tons
- Cargo capacity: 1,200 tons
- Cost of construction: £117,295