<title> SS Great Britain

Object number1997.062

TitleThe SS Great Britain freed from Bristol, 1844

Creator Joseph Walter (painter)‎

DescriptionPainting of the SS Great Britain going through Cumberland Lock in Bristol on 11 December 1844. This took place during the night and the painting shows the ship in darkness, only illuminated by some fires on the dockside and with shadowy figures visible in the foreground. The fore starboard part of the ship is visible, with her funnel clearly visible, but the masts obscured by the darkness. Oil on canvas, by artist Joseph Walter. The ship was supposed to leave the Floating Harbour in Bristol on 10 December 1844, but got stuck in the lock due to her size. She was freed before the tide fell too far and on 11 December Brunel worked with a team to alter the masonry on the dock to make it wide enough for the ship to pass. The ship finally went through Cumberland Lock late at night on 11 December and went down the river Avon the following morning.

Production date 1845 - 1845

Object nameoil on canvas

Object categoryvisual art

Materialcanvas, wood

Techniquepainted, carved

Dimensions

Credit lineCourtesy of the SS Great Britain Trust