SS Great Eastern was an iron-hulled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by John Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London, England. Powered by both sidewheels and a screw propeller, she was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refuelling. Her length of 692 feet (211 m) was surpassed only in 1899, by the 705-foot (215 m) 17,274-gross-ton RMS Oceanic, her gross tonnage of 18,915 was surpassed only in 1901, by the 701-foot (214 m) 20,904-gross-ton RMS Celtic and her 4,000-passenger capacity was surpassed only in 1913, by the 4,234-passenger SS Imperator. Her five funnels (later reduced to four) was unusual for the time.
Great fire in London docks
SS Great Eastern was an iron-hulled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by John Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London, England.
Historical Significance
SS Great Eastern was an iron-hulled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by John Scott Russell & Co.
Events Before
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel
Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel
National Association of Base Ball Players is founded in New York City
The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization governing American baseball (spelled as two words in the 19th century). The first convention of 16 New York City area…
University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia
University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia
Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China
Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China
Events After
One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Ti
One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Tischendorf, who takes the manuscript home
Charles Gounod's opera "Faust" premieres at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, France
The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century (the other three being the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien).
Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly ins
Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly installments until November 26
US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York
US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York
English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and lay
English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and laying the foundation for evolutionary biology
More from the 1850s
Alice Mary Robertson is born
Alice Mary Robertson, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1854-01-02.
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on June 29, 1858?
- SS Great Eastern was an iron-hulled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by John Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London, England. Powered by both sidewheels and a screw propeller, she was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refuelling.
- Why is Great fire in London docks significant?
- SS Great Eastern was an iron-hulled steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by John Scott Russell & Co.