Ss Great Western Collection

Great Western Steam Ship, 1838
Hand-coloured engraving with aquatint depicting port side profile view of the SS Great Western. Vessel appears to be leaving Bristol, with buildings and church towers behind her

The Great Western
The SS Great Western departs on her maiden voyage from Bristol to New York, 8th April 1838. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the oak-hulled paddle-wheel steamship was scrapped in 1856

The Great Western, right, and the RMS Campania, left, in the 19th century
3083204 The Great Western, right, and the RMS Campania, left, in the 19th century.; Private Collection; (add.info.: From The Century Edition of Cassell's History of England, published c. 1900).

Great Eastern, London Illustrated News, 16 January 1858
Newspaper sheet from the London Illustrated News of 16 January 1858. Full page engraving titled The Progress of Steam Navigation

SS Great Western setting off from Bristol on her maiden voyage to the United States, 1838
This print shows the SS Great Western setting off from Bristol on her maiden voyage to the United States. She is shown in profile

Isambard Kingdom Brunel newspaper obituary, 1859
Newspaper cutting of the obituary for I.K. Brunel, published in the Illustrated London News. This clipping features an engraving of I. K

A £1 share certificate issued by The Great Ship Company Limited (engraving)
733813 A £ 1 share certificate issued by The Great Ship Company Limited (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

STEAMSHIP: SHEET MUSIC. Sheet music of Great Western March, named after the steamship SS Great Western, by Charles Jarvis and Captain James Hosken. Lithograph sheet music cover, American, c1840

0025138
STEAMSHIP. The " Great Western", 1, 320 tons, Bristol, 1838. Contemporary lithograph

First Transatlantic Steamship Crossin
The paddle steamers SS Sirius and the SS Great Western in New York harbour after their arrival following the first transatlantic crossing by steam power

STEAMSHIP: GREAT WESTERN. Cross section, showing engines and wheels, of the British steamship SS Great Western, launched in 1838

MERCHANT STEAMSHIP, 1838. The British steamship SS Great Western. Line engraving, 1838

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"The SS Great Western: Pioneering the Transatlantic Voyage" The Great Western Steam Ship, launched in 1838, marked a significant milestone in maritime history. Designed by the legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this magnificent vessel revolutionized transatlantic travel and set new standards for oceanic engineering. On her maiden voyage to the United States from Bristol, The Great Western embarked on an extraordinary journey that captured the world's attention. This remarkable feat was immortalized in the London Illustrated News on 16 January 1858, showcasing her grandeur and technological advancements. Brunel's genius was not limited to shipbuilding; he left an indelible mark on various industries. His obituary in 1859 celebrated his achievements as a visionary who transformed transportation with projects like The Great Eastern and numerous railway lines across Britain. Over time, artistic tributes emerged to honor this majestic vessel. "The Launch of the Great Western" depicted its momentous debut in 1919 through vibrant oil-on-canvas artwork. Meanwhile, sheet music titled "Great Western March" paid homage to its splendor through melodious notes. Financially backed by shareholders who believed in its potential, The Great Ship Company Limited issued £1 share certificates as tangible proof of their investment. These engravings symbolize both confidence in Brunel's vision and a desire for progress within society. A cross-section illustration revealed intricate details of The SS Great Western's engines and wheels—a testament to human ingenuity at work during that era. This groundbreaking merchant steamship forever changed how people traversed vast oceans while transporting goods between continents. With each Atlantic crossing completed successfully, The SS Great Western solidified itself as a trailblazer among steamships—ushering humanity into a new era of global connectivity and exploration. Its legacy lives on today as we marvel at its historical significance and celebrate those who dared to dream big amidst turbulent seas.