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SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge

Discussion in 'Everything Else Heritage' started by Rlangham, Apr 12, 2009.

  1. Rlangham

    Rlangham Well-Known Member

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    On Wednesday I went down to Bristol to visit the SS Great Britain, which i've wanted to do for a very long time, being very interested in the life and work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. On the way there, and also to get south of the River Avon, we went over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, another of Brunel's works (although not completed until after his death), where there is a small visitor centre

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    The SS Great Britain and museum is the best museum i've visited - superb restoration and exhibits, and friendly staff as well, a very important aspect. A lot of museums could learn from this place

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    The lower hull is under a protective 'glass sea' which actually works really well. Inside and outside the hull, in the dry dock, there are giant humidifiers to protect it from corrosion

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    Another ship which fascinates me - the SS Great Eastern, when it was built it was five times bigger than any other ship.

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    A reminder of the SS Great Britain's time as a troopship during the Crimean War

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    Part of the enormous replica working steam engine in the Great Britain, made of modern materials but more importantly it's always in motion during opening hours, a very impressive sight

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    Replica of John Cabot's 'The Matthew'
     
    Rlangham, Apr 12, 2009
    #1
  2. NDTSDN

    NDTSDN Part of the furniture

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    NDTSDN, Apr 12, 2009
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  3. ovbulleid

    ovbulleid Member

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    piece of general trivia re the great britain, this is actually one of the oldest propellers in the world. and when one of my professors tested a model of it in a cavitation tunnel, he found that for a ship of its tonnage and service speed, it was actually over 95% efficient as the 'ideal' propeller that would be used today. and given that brunel didn't have the first clue about designing propellers i think that's pretty impressive
     
    ovbulleid, Apr 12, 2009
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  4. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    It just goes to show what sort of a brilliant engineer he was, he must have been able to picture how it work in his mind..
    Having stood on the deck of the SS Great Britain and seen how small it is, you would need to be very brave to set off across the Atlantic on it.
     
    RalphW, Apr 15, 2009
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  5. channel

    channel Member

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    Great set of pictures, I get to see the Great Britain and the Cliftin on a regular basis. We are very lucky to have the Great Britain, she is a credit to all who saved her. The Matthew alongside is starting to look the part now she is ageing!

    Chris
     
    channel, Apr 27, 2009
    #5

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