The SS Great Britain freed from Bristol, 1844
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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
Dimensions
- overall height: 530 mm
overall width: 760 mm
sight size height: 400 mm
sight size width: 650 mm
Credit lineCourtesy of the SS Great Britain Trust
