Brunel applied his engineering design skills to expanding the
scope for oceanic steam travel. His "Great Western" was the
first steam ship to cross the Atlantic regularly
Reflecting on steamship design, Brunel concluded that a vessel's drag through the water is proportional to the square of its dimension whereas it capacity is based on the dimension cubed. Thus the larger the boat, the larger the engine and speed - with proportionately smaller resistance. The Great Western was designed for the North Atlantic run without weight and space being taken up by coal. A new era of rapid, reliable ocean transport beckoned.
The Great Western left Bristol on 8th April 1838 for her Atlantic maiden voyage completing the trip in 15 days. She arrived with 200 tons of coal remaining. The Great Western made 67 Atlantic crossings in eight years and truly earned the Atlantic Blue Riband which she was the first to wear.
With the Great Western a success, the directors pressed on with a second ship, the Great Britain the first large (3443 tons) iron steam-ship with screw-propulsion. Regrettably the Great Britain's life was troubled. She ran aground at Dundrum Bay (southern tip of Eire) on her maiden voyage. If it was not for Brunel's ingenuity in building a protective breakwater (made of faggots of wood) around her stern until she could be re-floated on spring tides, she would have ended as salvage only. She was refloated and towed back to Bristol for repairs.
Today the Great Britain's magnificent dining room (seats up to 140) is available for hire and offers Cordon Bleu cuisine, silver service and Victorian splendour - a wonderful venue for a company meeting! Make a reservation for one of the monthly dinners.
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