SS Great Eastern

Q: What is the SS Great Eastern famous for?

The SS Great Eastern was a steam-powered liner built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was the largest passenger ship in the world at the time. It also laid the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866.

Q: What happened to SS Great Eastern?

The SS Great Eastern was very expensive to build and was too big to be profitable. It was damaged in a storm, ran aground, and was sold off to be used to lay subocean cables.

Q: Why was SS Great Eastern innovative?

SS Great Eastern was innovative because of its size, double that of the previous record-holder. It combined steam-powered paddle wheels and a propellor with sails. The ship's double hull was innovative and included watertight bulkheads for extra strength and security.

Mark Cartwright

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Definition

The SS Great Eastern was a steam-powered ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) which sailed on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York in June 1860. At the time, it was by far the largest passenger ship ever built, a record it would hold for 49 years. Great Eastern laid the first cross-Atlantic telegraph cable in 1866.

More about: SS Great Eastern

Timeline

1 Feb 1858
The hull of the SS Great Eastern is floated for the first time.
Jun 1860
SS Great Eastern makes its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.
Sep 1861
The SS Great Eastern is badly damaged in a storm.
Aug 1862
The SS Great Eastern runs aground off the U.S. coast.
1866
The SS Great Eastern lays the first transatlantic electrical telegraph cable.
1888
The SS Great Eastern is scrapped.