Collection Stories
People, places & moments
Every collection story was shaped by Brunel, the Dockyards and the SS Great Britain. These stories explore life on board, landmark events, bold engineering ideas and the global journeys that connected the ship to the wider world. Through diaries, letters, objects and images, the collection reveals how the SS Great Britain carried lives, ideas and ambitions across oceans.
Key Moments
The SS Great Britain Homecoming, 1970
After 47 voyages and 88 years in service, SS Great Britain was scuttled in the Falkland Islands in 1937, having been deemed too unsafe and costly to maintain.
Brunel & Engineering
Brunel’s Last Photograph, 1859
This photograph shows Isambard Kingdom Brunel making a final visit to his ship, the SS Great Eastern, on 5 September 1859. It is one of only eight known photographs of Brunel and the last image taken of him before his death.
Life on Board
Passenger Elizabeth Parsons’ Drawing Book, 1882
Originally from the UK, landscape artist Elizabeth Parsons travelled to Australia with her husband George and their three children on board the SS Great Britain in 1870, after George lost his job.
Global Context
Brunel’s SS Great Britain, 1843
The SS Great Britain is the largest and most significant object in our collection.
Global Context
SS Great Eastern Funnel, 1857
Here is the forward funnel from Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s third and final ship, the SS Great Eastern.
Key Moments
The Last Ticket, 1970
This ticket is one of the final issued for a journey on SS Great Britain, marking the end of a remarkable voyage that spanned continents.
Life on Board
A Surgeon’s Tale, 1857
In 1857, the SS Great Britain was sailing to and from Australia with ship’s surgeon Samuel Archer on board.
Key Moments
The Launch of the SS Great Britain, 1843
This image shows the SS Great Britain being launched into Bristol’s Floating Harbour on 19 July 1843
Life on Board
Passenger Rachel Henning’s Diary, 1861
This diary was written by Rachel Henning during her voyage from Liverpool to Melbourne aboard SS Great Britain in 1861.
Brunel & Engineering
Inside the Thames Tunnel, 1830
This delicate double peepshow was likely sold to raise both money and public interest in the construction of the Thames Tunnel, designed by Marc Brunel, father of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.